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Submitted by
casey
a Weekend Warrior
from piketberg /SA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | back yard | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Re-cycals | | Strengths: | Its a good all rounder grate strengh. All good cycalist that want a great ride it will work for you. | | Weaknesses: | Dosnt have any. | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | Bike Setup: | not to sure,back sox rock shox sid, sole disk. | | Bottom Line: | Im 14, do dirt jumping quite a lot, got my own jumps on the farm, i love the ac it suits all my needs, some times want a better back shox thoe, other wise great! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kristian taylor
a
from birmingham
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | cannock | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | two wheels | | Strengths: | adjustability, super smoothe ride , eats anything you throw at it, and very reliable if you dont be stupid with it !! i,e stuff it aint designed to do!!! | | Weaknesses: | forks to soft , i upgraded to junior t`s and i cant see me ever wanting to change this bike now !! | | Similar Products Used: | cove stiffe 69er, planet x, kona manu manu. | | Bike Setup: | changed seat post to titec scope , changed mph brakes to hope minis, fitted junior t`s changed stem and appart from that the bike is pretty much stock.. | | Bottom Line: | ive run this bike for 3 years , and the ride just gets better, you may need to change a few things to suit your ride , but tell me a bike you dont !! super reliable , it can change from a mellow cross country bike into a superb downhill bike no problem, it climbs very well , glides the ruff stuff like you are on your a cloud, THIS BIKE IS AMAZING FAR BETTER THAN ANYTHING IVE EVER RODE BY FAR !!!!! WELL DONE GIANT | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from G bury
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | my FR park (backyard) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | this bike can handle anything i throw at it and then bike back up and do it again. The adjustable travel in the rear is great and tires are superb | | Weaknesses: | rear travel should be easier switched via lever or something and front fork should be beefed up other than that its awesome | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | old tire for a chain slap,azonic love seat,jr t for fork and pooping pig for a bar buddy | | Bottom Line: | best bike for the beginner/intermediate freerdier that has little cash | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darko B
a Downhiller
from Bris, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Boong ( Cootha ) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | 04 Model- Feels Solid all round. Rear suspension is magic, brakes are tops. Well balanced in the air. Bike feels like it can take a pounding all day long and then some. | | Weaknesses: | Not a real Weakness, but I would like a little more travel up front, got 130mm (05 fixed that) having said that the manitou forks really work very well and have a great progressive feel.
Rear brake tends to moan a little while light braking at low speed.
Brakes will need adjusting if the bike shop hasn't put the washers in for the adjusters, all you need is some lock tight and she's apples
Rear Mech slaps up against the frame..easy fixed.
Standard tyres ( Michies ) feel gummy on the road even when hard........but who really gives a crap | | Similar Products Used: | My mates Specialized FSR enduro PRO ??? I think. He took one ride on mine and now he's selling his, and he paid $4500 Aus for it | | Bike Setup: | Box stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! Really, you can't go wrong. I was looking at a Stinky but I think the AC2 looks better and might be lighter. Quality parts, and you can really push it. Smooth solid ride, but you can still flick it about. Nice balance on the rear wheel.
Buy this bike if you want to bounce off trees, pissoff the hikkers, and generally shred and jump anything in your path.......KILLER RIG!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Max
a Downhiller
from Mammoth Lakes, Ca, US
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bullit, Mammoth Mtn bike park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$940.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | bike pedals great despite being nearly 40lbs. easily tackles uphill rides. great stopping power. able to take the big drops. great bike for the $. | | Weaknesses: | lots of noisy braking with wet or muddy rotors. would really like powder coat as opposed to paint. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock. wider tires, nothing special. | | Bottom Line: | great set of components for the $. great bike that can take the beginner to the next level w/o having to go out and get a new bike. very versatile. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana Francey Francey
a Downhiller
from Bangor ME USA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Short Bus | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Pat's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Swinger rear suspension
Components
Light weight for cross country AND freeride
Optional clipless/platform pedals, clip in for crosscountry wear regular shoes for freeride | | Weaknesses: | Front fork is a little soft but for about $35 you can upgrade the spring
I wont upgrade it because I just did a five footer with it and didnt come close to bottoming(only used about 50% of travel.) | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky Jekyll Coiler (gary fischer advance [oh ya])
Kona Kahoona Gemini EVERYTHING ! ! | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Mine is a 2003 so it cost 1600 on sale, the same as a coiler but this bike blows the coiler away. It's lighter and has better components. This beast pedals like a 28 pound hardtail. I was even able climb up a garbage dump with it without clips. The swinger is definitly the best part of this bike. Its 6.3" is plush and does not bob. Anyway.. this bike is a great value and has no problems with 5 foot dropoffs or fast manuvering on a downhill trail. It is the perfect all around bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Downhiller
from Santa cruz
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | can't tell | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | I bought all the parts seperate and built it up my self | | Strengths: | Good all around freerider. Best for going fast down rough decensts with drops, stunts etc. But able to climb back up | | Weaknesses: | The cable guides are a pain to run brake hoses through unless you want to bleed them. The interuppted seat tube sucks. Also the paint rubs off very fast if it is in contact with a cable. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher sugar, specilized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | Basically the same as giant sets them up but i put on beffier handlebars(azonic), stem(titec knuckle head dh), shock (psylo sl), bottom bracket (race face FR), bash guard (race face), and i did away with the crappy internal headset | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike that will get you down some pretty rough trails and get you back up for a second run. I reccomend this for most freeriders unless you are doing 12+ drops. But if you are in to the big hit stuff slap on a double crown fork and you will be good to go. (double crown fork voids warranty? I don't know why)
This bike also races well. Switch the shock from 6 to 4 and it makes a great dual slalom/mountain cross/dirt jumper.
The complaints i have with this bike is the warranty void with the double crown fork, the cable guides and the crappy paint giant uses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Danbrook
a Downhiller
from Vernon
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Spankys | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | This is a 2002 giant AC3 because there are no catagories for it so ya it is a great bike and if you ever get one use the chain guide it is great but i tell you why it is bad in the weaknesses. The components are great lx, deore and others it has a great rear shock and also the discs though mech are great and is a great frame for any type of riding i just got it and i was doing 6 foot drops. love every part about this bike it is alot of fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | The forks arn't the greatest but they work well great for riding around time and all that very good for xc the chain guide is to far from the sproket and it slips off and i have had trouble gettign it un stuck so ya that is it about it oh there is a little flex in the rear when flying down a hill in to burms. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona stinky, coiler and also other ac's | | Bike Setup: | rock shox psylos in the front (getting 2002 jr.t's) rockshox pro deluxe in the rear new ninja 2.75 tires. hayes 6 inch mech, lx and deore rock guard/crank hubs and deraler and titec stem and handle bars and avid brake levers and giant custom chain guide, rhino rims thats it. | | Bottom Line: | a great bike for all conditions (hint hint AC) it is strong and will last along time it is very good value and only one or two probs the chain guide alittle flex pretty much all strengths very smooth ride over all can tak tons of abuse and big hit stuff but is a fun bike to just ride over all(alot better than my norco screamer)
AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The one Nearby | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1685.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Value, Component spec. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, but then it is a 'hard-hitting-go-anywhere' bike | | Similar Products Used: | the old proflex reptile. | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock, swapped the LX shifters for XTR. got rid of the Michelin Comp24.1 2.5 Tires which were only good for going downhill. | | Bottom Line: | Great value for a great frame and component spec. Would change the rockshox shock for a SPV platform shock to improve pedaling performance on the climbs.
About the climbs, they are still possible, although it does get to be a chore after a while, this bike is approx. 35 pounds.
Once I managed to get the suspension dialed in on the rear this bike performs well. There is bob during hard pedaling which is expected but while pedaling under control it was not really noticeble.
The psylo XC's bob quite badly when putting the power down uphill when the travel is at full stretch. Shortening travel helps as I'm sure most of you know.
All in all a good bike for bombing around trails and jumping off any ramps, made by mother nature, you can find. Great on the downhills and bearable on the uphills. Since, as I'm sure most of you will agree, bombing downhill makes up for every climb and the fact that this bike does downhill well, it gets a 4 chilli mark.
what can i say about the value? I got what i wanted for a great price. 5 chillis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damon
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | AC 2 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | That's a great frame for XC and FR. Also DH is very good. That not too hard for uphill. I think the feeling like the NRS. And it is very stable in downhill(after the rockshox had been broken and change the Romic twintube!!!!!). The travel adjustment is the best design. | | Weaknesses: | The quality of the bearing is bad. That's too weak and not durable. And the RockShox extremely bad. That's extremely not durable. Also the quality is very bad. That's broke after I build up it after 4 mouths. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense SLX, Xtension FR, Giant VT and GT Rockies | | Bike Setup: | Romic Twintube rear shock, 2002 Z1 FR, full set Shimano XT component, Maxxis HighRoller SuperTacky 2.35 tires, DT hubs with D521 and Easton handle bar. | | Bottom Line: | That's are great all condition bike, that's great for any off road. Anyway, that's the cheapest FR bike in all famous brand. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
guillaume
a Weekend Warrior
from montreal, qc ,ca
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | this bike rocks! nice kick ass bike nice components (xt, raceface,titec...) it rocks for dh, fr or even trail riding(the only problem is the weight (38 pounds)) the tires are awsome and the 8 in. hayes hydro. disc brakes make you stop in a sec. | | Weaknesses: | i blew my psylo on a 5ft flat landing drop! there is a loose in the swingarm and and he cables exessively rub onto the frame(i recommend lizard skins' new carbon fiber frame protector) . the seat mast or the seat tbe makes a squeaky sound! | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky, banshee scream, rock mtn switch, norco vps, cannondale gemmini 900, 2000 , 1000 | | Bike Setup: | stock plus chainguide, race face stem and odi lock on grips!!! | | Bottom Line: | this bike rules and rocks if you take really good care of it! buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake coin
a Weekend Warrior
from hemet,california, u.s.a
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ??????????????????????? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle service center | | Strengths: | the michalin tires are realy sweet
hayns disk brakes (make some noise when not brakeing)
handle bars I have had no realy problems yet
frame
suspention for the pices
etc. | | Weaknesses: | I realy dont like the forks but I never have had to much
trouble I would just prefer some fox or marzocchi.
The pedles realy sucked but it was my first time with clipess.I just never realy hurt more than a ride with clipess became real good freind with the dirt and rocks.
| | Similar Products Used: | mongoose something and had a few different hard tails | | Bike Setup: | every thing is stock other than some platform pedless (dk) | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I have ever had. It can take some
major rock jumps as long as you done land like a brick.
Some flat landings just not over 5 or 6 feet. It also
handles the trails realy well I thought It would be a complete pain to ride up hills but it held its own.
For the money you cant realy get a better bike.
Worked all summer for 8 1/2 bucks and was able to
buy this bike it was the best I could find. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Devin Mills
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | I love the bike, it has a smooth ride, great manuverbility, all around great bike | | Weaknesses: | The pedals suck royally. No matter how much i adjust them, i still get stuck in them, so i removed them and replaced them with some old 747. They stil work great.. The disk brakes could use some fine tuning, they sqeual if you get water or dirt on them. | | Bottom Line: | The bikes okay for the money, i wish i had waited for the "VT", i like the setup and the new rear suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Excellent bang-for-the-buck component group (LX/XT, Raceface)
20mm front axle
8" hayes hydros
| | Weaknesses: | Rear shock (rockshox pro deluxe)
Composite (plastic) Hayes brake levers
Titec seatpost and handlebars (both needed replacement after 4 months) | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Giant AC2, Rocky Mountain RM7, 2001 Norco Team DH, 2002 Giant AC air | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Boxxer Race, 7.5" rear travel upgrade (BETD), ODI lock-on grips, converted to 8spd XT drivetrian - rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | The Giant AC2 is a super fun bike to ride. It is great for freeriding and DH riding. It has been able to take anything I've put in front of its path.
The stock springs in the Psylo fork and ProDeluxe rear shock are spec'd for like a 140lb rider. I upgraded the front spring and the rear shock spring to a 750lb spring, and then the damn spring blew through the perch and snapped of the rebound adjust knob!
The Titec seatpost bent in about 2 months, and the handlebars bent in about 4 months of use.
The composite brake levers are not the best. They are expencive to replace when broken (which has happened).
I don't plan on purchasing a new bike for a long time... the AC2 is a good all-round bike if you like freeriding and DHing. In stock form, it makes for a great versatile trail bike, but at 36lb., it isn't the lightest - but if you want a light trail bike - the AC air is a nice ride also.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Downhiller
from Calgary, AB
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | A-Line | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Very plush, many people dont think it climbs very well but compared to most other freeride bikes it climbs quite well. Nice price for a good bike, although i recommend customizing it and just buy the frame. | | Weaknesses: | A bit on the heavy side but who cares. Put an RC on it, the stock shock is not that good | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky series, Banshee scream, Most Norco fullies | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Jr T, Vanilla RC, Race face Prodigy DH cranks, Azonic seat post, Michellin 2.7 tires, Sun rims, 8" Hayes hydros | | Bottom Line: | Very nice frame, Great as a freeride/entry level DH bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Novato, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Bike has excellent suspension and handling charceristics but will never be a great climber (but its not that kind of bike). Surprisingly agile given its relatively high weight and tall CG. Overall the basic geometry is very good. Design concept is excellent. | | Weaknesses: | Quality is poor and reliability is the worst I have experienced over 4 different MTBs. The bike came has had numerous problems due to at least one manufactuing/design defect. So far, the frame and rear drive train had to be replaced with less than 500 miles of relatively light riding. I have been told that the rear hub design is prone to failure (I have experienced that one personally). Giant's customer service is extemely poor and their warranty process is very cumbersome. So far I have lost 2 mos. of riding due to quality/warranty issues. Also, heavier riders will experience G0 Shifting due to flex in the seat stay. This can be fixed rather simply but you have to ask around about the fix. Giant does not have a good way of disseminating technical information to the field. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super-V1000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, however I now have an AC-1 frame which as an oil/coil shock which is much better. I'd recommend the AC-1 over the AC-2 just to get the better shock. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is a great design however, Giant has cut corners in the wrong places and when compounded with their poor customer service I'd recommend that you save your money and buy something else. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b-Rad
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Raiders Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | used from MTBR.com classifieds | | Strengths: | Great package deal
8" hayes hydros
heavy gussets, love those gussets
wide handlebar feels very stable
| | Weaknesses: | plastic brake levers
Titec X-wing seat post sucks, bring your allen wrench
stock shock spring is too soft if you weigh over 160 lbs.
Rock Shox components maybe, unreliable but mine are fine.
stock pedals suck, scrap them for some quality platforms | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn 4 Banger, not enough suspension though.
Ellsworth Joker, single pivot is not as smooth
Intense Uzzi SLX, frame cost more than my whole bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock but changed shock spring to 700 lb.
Motoraptor 2.4's
Tioga platforms
ODI lock on grips
Suspension set on longest travel always. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great for agressive XC. It weighs about 36 lbs but feels lighter when riding, and if it was less it would not feel as solid. The weight scared me at first since I am mainly an XC racer, but kept breaking my lightweight frame and components due to agressive style and adverse conditions. I got mine from this website in the classified section, a guy in Alberta rode it about 5 times and decided it was too much bike... lucky for me. Put platforms on it and it feels like an oversized BMX bike, so much fun I feel like a kid again. Riding it is more play and less work (XC training can become a sucky job!) So far it easily handles 4-5 ft drops to flat and over 6 ft drops to trannys. I feel like I know its limits so I wouldn't attempt more on it, plus bigger than that is beyond my capability. The Rock Shox are fine so far, no spewing oil or any problems... well the u-turn plastic knob broke off but I set it on 5" and left it. Rock Shox are not reliable and have a bad rap but I must have gotten some good ones (as in not defective)I will ride them til they break and then go from there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephan
a Weekend Warrior
from NH
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Andy's Cycles | | Strengths: | Great bargain
Well sorted parts spec
Very stable
Adjustable travel
Not too heavy
Good customer service
Did I mention what a GREAT FREAKIN' BARGAIN this bike is?? | | Weaknesses: | Interrupted seat tube sucks
Double crown voids warrenty
Zero Stack headset is silly
RockShox Pro-Deluxe sucks | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Straight 6
AC2 frame built with nothing even remotely close to stock | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Stan's tubeless, Odyssey Twisted Pro flats, and an XT crankset. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this bike is a great bike at a great price. After riding my friend's Straight-6 a lot, I was sold on full suspension. I was looking into this bike, and the mechanic at the LBS let me take his out for a ride - built with a Z1, 6" Hayes, and whatever parts he took off the 4 banger he broke. It was so much fun to ride, I told him to order one the next day.
This is my first foray into the world of full suspension/big hit bikes, and I think this is a really phenominal bike for a FS newbie to buy. The parts spec you get for a mere $2000 retail (which any good LBS will knock a couple hundred dollars off of) is really astounding. 8" Hayes, 36h Rhyno Lite XL's, Titec cockpit... I don't know how they did it.
The RockShox Pro-Deluxe sucks. It makes funny noises, and I have to keep it over dampened to keep it from topping out. It's getting switched for a Fox next week, maybe a Romic after the holidays. However, I've never believed in knocking a bike manufacturer just because one component manufacturer sucks.
The Psylo is.. Well, let me just say I'm impressed with it. My friend had an '01 Psylo SL that I really grew to hate. The '02 XC has been very decent. It's pretty plush, fairly active, and reasonably stiff. You see those adjectives I used? Yeah, those are adjectives used to describe a fork that you can get for around $200. All of you guys who say "OH IT SUCKS BUY A BOMBER", well, you just can't expect that level of performance out of a budget, entry level freeride fork. For what it is, this Psylo is really unbeatable. That said, I'm getting an '03 Z.1 FR soon, and that'll shoot this bike's performance through the roof.
The ZS headset is kinda silly. Why is it there? It offers no performance increase, and just means you have to run spacers to put in a regular headset.
The issue of double crown forks is irritating, but understandable. Could you throw a Jr. T on this fork and ride it on the local trails? Sure! But Giant doesn't want to hear it when people put a Monster T on it and throw themselves off their cousin's roof. Therefore, they will not warrenty a double crown.
All in all, Giant made a hell of a bike for a hell of a price. If you're looking for a bike that will handle aggressive trail riding, reasonable size drops, urban, and a little DH, you can probably do better, but not unless you want to spend twice as much! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whiteshell area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Olympia | | Strengths: | - plush ride
- incredible descender
- inspires confidence
- great adjustment range on rear shock
- pedals well | | Weaknesses: | - not a great climber
- a bit on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | - Giant Warp 2
- Kona Chute | | Bike Setup: | Prodigy DH cranks (ISIS), platform pedals, Sun Rhyno Rims, SID 100 fork (yes, a strange choice), Deore/LX derailleurs, Alivio shifter/brake handles, Tektro V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to post a review for the frame, but couldn't locate a listing for the 2002, so that is why it is in here instead. The parts on mine would probably place it below the AC3 level.
I am not a bike destroying, heavy duty free rider. Or, at least, not yet. Currently, my biggest drop is 3 feet, although I am aiming for 4 to 5 sometime in the near future. I also ride stairs, and some very rough trails.
Basically, I wanted a bike that I can ride anywhere, trust to do anything without breaking, and that isn't too hard on me (ie: full suspension). The AC seemed like a good choice.
I had a frame built up with the parts from my last bike (hence the SID fork and Tektros - and yes, the frame only option does have V-brake bosses).
So far, I am impressed. It is a pretty good trail bike. Sure, I may have to push it up the top part of a few steep hills, but coming down the other side makes it all worthwhile. It absolutely rockets down the descents. The ride is smooth, and very controlled. It may turn you into a 'gravity junkie'.
As far as light free riding goes, I have had no problems. I have only run the suspension at the 4.5" setting, and have bottomed out twice, before getting the shock set up. When I go for the bigger stuff, I'll upgrade the spring, probably to a 700+lb range and get a new fork, of course. I've also done some smaller dirt jumps with the bike, and it performed well.
So, the bottom line? For someone like myself (mid thirties, and just beginning to explore the world of freeride), this is a good bike. It will allow me to push past my boundaries, and have no concerns if it will hold up.
I strongly recommend buying one.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bugzee Malone
a
from Kobe, Japan
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hikers on Rokko Mountain Beware! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 1000 | | Strengths: | AC-3
4 to 6 inches of rear suspension
Marzocchi 130mm Z1 front fork
Hayes Mech discs F/R | | Weaknesses: | Derailleur hanger is butter soft | | Similar Products Used: | Hardrock Uno, GT i-drive4
| | Bike Setup: | Stock AC-3 except for:
Serfas RX seat
850lb x 2 spring
Amoeba bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike!
It goes well, stops well, and does everything well in between. Flies like a bird.
At 16.5kg its a little heavier than a normal XC bike when its time to sling it over your shoulder but you don't notice it when peddling. The WTB Motoraptor tires have a high rolling resistance on asphalt but are great on soft dirt or sticky mud.
I recommend changing the stock 500lb spring to something heavier if you are over 70kg/150lb.
I am 185cm/6?1" & weigh 90kg/200lb.
Kerry at Phantom cycles in Australia recommended a 800lb/850lb spring upgrade.
This also took out the suspension bob even when climbing in the rear 6inch setting.
I also took a round file to the seat post?s seat mount hole to give me a few more mm of tilt down to the front of the seat. This made the split seat even more comfortable and allowed me to hit those missing low notes.
This bike seems bulletproof so far, except for the hanger which was bent when a friend ran into the back of me.
(LBS guy bent it back straight and commented about the softness)
This bike is the most fun you can have with your pants on.
Buy it! Thrash it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy barker
a Downhiller
from edson alberta canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the hoo doo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | western cycle | | Strengths: | this is an awsome all round bike it's light it has an awsome suspension it gives a nice landing when u jump it when you do a drop off if your into serious down hill riding this bike is for if u jus want a nice ride buy a cruiser | | Weaknesses: | its rear hubs ive had mine 3 and a half months and i have had to replace my rear hub its not expensive but for a brand new bike i should'nt have to replace it yet | | Similar Products Used: | giant ac 1 and ac 2 and 3 | | Bike Setup: | full suspension hydraulic brakes rhyno lite rims | | Bottom Line: | it kicks ass | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a
from austin tx
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | going down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | this is a second reveiw. since the first one i have put on a evil 13 chainguide a 36 tooth ring platform pedals. but the thing that makes the most difference is the fox vanilla rc. this shock makes the bike about tentimes better along with the evil guide this bike feels 20 times better than stock i recomend these upgrades alot. soon i will have a boxxer then i will check back in | | Weaknesses: | little bit of flex in the rear end not enough travel in the psylo. dual crown fork is against the warranty but im gonna do it any ways at christmas ill report on thaat. | | Similar Products Used: | kona 01 stab | | Bike Setup: | oddesy pedals FOX VANILLA RC AND EVIL13 CHAIN GUIDE(u must get these) 36 tooth ring | | Bottom Line: | this bike was badass until i blew the rock shox rear in three weaks and i only weigh 170 i got a stiffer spring but it was way to hard finnaly i got the fox rc and then a evil guide annd this bike whoops ass in texas though i still want a bullit | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PoInTBaWeXtOr
a Weekend Warrior
from Auztralia
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Um... A Bike Shop Maybe..... | | Strengths: | For the price you get the goods.
Frame seems to be fairly strong and sturdy, surpisingly. | | Weaknesses: | - The Pyslos, are to easy to blow and break.
- Rear shock is known to have major problems
- The Replacable deralliur hangers are as weak as.
- Is a fair bit of rear end flex at high speeds.
- Stock rear hub is as bodgy as.
| | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Giant ATX 1(Still Da Best), 2002 Giant DH COMP, Mates Ac2, Iron Horse SGS DH, Mongoose Grand Marquis, 2002 Kona Stinky. | | Bike Setup: | Stock besides the following - Azonic Shorty Stem, Snafu BMX Pedals, Truvativ DH BB, Blackspire AS1 Chainguide, ODI Ruffian Grips, Maxxis Highroller/Mobster Tires, Shimano XT ShortCage Deralliur. | | Bottom Line: | After nearly a years use(10 Months)is still going fairly well. But have had many problems, leaving me being unable to ride which is a bit of a dissapointment. Its much like everyone says, Giants may have the great prices, considering the top notch gear upon them, but no matter what Giant Bicycles seem to always have problems, no matter what. Anyways, its good when it works, but isnt to good when it stops you from riding, and or costs you a lot just to fix it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andre Gomes
a Weekend Warrior
from Sao Paulo
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | free ride, Soft DH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bikerspoint.com.br | | Strengths: | Good parts for the invested money. Very tough bike for free ride and jump up some stairs. | | Weaknesses: | Psylo XC sucks..I upgrade for the new Boxxer 7"(Race) and i would suggest all bikers to do it...up to now, the bike has an excellent shocks combination( 6"- rear and 7" - front)
Change tires for Maxxis Mobster or High Roller 2.5, it worths a lot!!!
Titec seatpost x-wings sucks and it is crap...losses all the time..it is almost bent.. I will replace it for a Thompson Elite
| | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Bullit, Specialized Big Hit Comp or Pro. | | Bike Setup: | All original factory parts(2002) and Boxxer Race 02, Maxxis Mobter 2.5 (front) and Righ Roller 2.5(Rear). | | Bottom Line: | Extreme Free Ride bike, abuse it!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G-ride
a Weekend Warrior
from San Marcos, CA, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Snow Summit | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | This bike handles bumps quite well. DH's like a champ and corners very well. Very smooth ride | | Weaknesses: | The front shocks are a bit weak for this hefty of a bike. Too heavy, and the tires are too heavy as well. And need to be able to lower the seat more. | | Similar Products Used: | Dakar comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great freeride bike and you will have a lot of fun riding it. If you downhill and take big drops then i would suggest upgrading the springs in both shocks or upgrading to a Shiver if you got the cash. But everything else is sic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morty
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Outback Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Strengths: | Plush, Strong, reassuring when away in remote areas, Hayes 8" brakes, tough enough. Tough Michelin tires. 20mm front axle is good. | | Weaknesses: | Springs way to soft for me @ 95kg but adequate for friend at 70kg. Seat can't be lowered far enough if the seat post is not cut. Michelin flywheels a little heavy for cros country but excellent for downhill on rugged sandstone bouldered full speed descents.
Psylos flex a little under extreme braking but have held up so far. Front travel isn't up to what is claimed even sith stock springs and my weight. | | Similar Products Used: | None since suspension was invented. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2002 AC2 Aussie spec with 750lbs MRP rear spring and firmest front spring. | | Bottom Line: | At 95kg (210lbs) it needed upgrading to the firmest coil spring for the front and a 750lbs MRP speed spring. Since the spring upgrade it's been excellent and it's reassuring that it's tough enough to ride in remote areas without fear of breakdowns. I was amazed at how tough the Michelin tires are with such grip but a ful face helmet might be needed due to the number of small stones flung up at full speed. Brakes are awesome but my friend rode the AC2 for a few minutes then switched back to his V braked GT and forgot how long it takes to stop before meeting the trail gates. Weight is good for such a tough machine but lighter weight tires help if you want to put it on a diet. Cost a little high in Aus at $3700 aus but it was a sellout within approx 6months especially in the middle frame size and if it's a sellout that still sold twice as many as the year before it much be good. High center of gravity is unnerving till you get use to it if you have come off a bike that is much lower but high ground clearance is good. To sum up "King off the road" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Moscow
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Paradise Creek bikes, Moscow | | Strengths: | I have not broke the frame, the Hays 160mm disc brakes stop me on a dime, the adjustable travel (4.15-6.00 inches) in the rear is a nice touch | | Weaknesses: | I had to send the 2001 Psylo front fork in 3 times to have it rebuilt in the first 6 months due to loss of oil. I destroyed the Rock shox Pro Deluxe rear shock once. The original Rhyno lite rear rim split at the seam, the spokes pulled through the rear hub. I bent the Titec Hell Bent handle bars and the seat post. the Bike has destroyed both an lx and xt rear derailer and broken a few chains and cables. (None of these were the results of crashes.) | | Similar Products Used: | I destroyed 3 Walmart "full suspensions" in 3 weeks. Dang their return policy was good. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Giant AC2 frame, White Bros Fr3 Front fork, Rock shox Pro Deluxe Hays 160mm Hydrolic disc brakes, Kore Strictly-D Handle bars, LX 9 speed Rapid fire shifters, XT front Derailer, Deore 9 speed rear derailer, Shimono sealed bottom braket, Lx crank arms, Race Face 22/34/44 sprokets, Real design Rear hub, Deore front hub, Rhyno Lite 36 hole front rim, Big Mammoth Fat 36 hole Rear (laced 4 cross) WTB Moto Raptor 26-2.4 tires | | Bottom Line: | I ride hard. This bike has taken some pretty hard flat landings and has been ridden away from most of them. When something breaks, I try to upgrade, when I have the money. I do a lot of "urban assult" riding along with a little downhill. If it were not for the Psylo forks that came stock on this bike, it would get a five. Their loss...
I guess the bottom line is, if you ride hard, expect things to wear out, break, bend... this is a good all around bike. Good luck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | 8 inch hayes, michelen 2.5s, proven linkage design, good components for the price | | Weaknesses: | Pyslos suck ass, first fork pissed out oil and the steerer twisted in the crown, second fork came in and the same thing happened again. Rear shock blew out doing drops under 7 feet. Chain stays are weak bent within a couple months of riding. Giant charged a hundred dollars to replace them. Rear wheel began to seperate at the seem, not really suited for free riding. | | Bike Setup: | Atomic trail pimp rear wheel, boxxer, snafu pedals | | Bottom Line: | When the bike is not broken it rides like a champ. But if you buy one plan on waiting months for replacement parts to come in. If you are getting in to free riding buy a quality frame and build it up to suit your type of riding. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Spearmens Cycles | | Strengths: | This is the 2002 AC2 review.
Solid frame and Adjustable front and rear travel. Though rarley touched the adjustment after a month or so. Love the 8 inch Hayes discs. Psylos will take 2.7 inch tyres. Love the Michelin tyres | | Weaknesses: | Rock Shox Psyslos are OK, for most downhill and cross country riding, but tended to bottom out occassionally on me. Eventually I blew the seals and oil started pissing out everywhere. Then the bike shop had heaps of broblems removing the seals and the bushings "unlike all other shocks" they said. The Psylos bottomed out Especially when I hit 6 foot drops and 5 foot flat to flat drops. The rear shock came standard with a 500Ibs x 2.00 spring which was way to soft. But once upgraded never bottomed out or sank to much into its travel | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | Standard with V12 platform pedals Shortended stem. 5 inches front and 6 inches rear travel setup. | | Bottom Line: | Check that you have the correct spring for the rear shock on purchase of the bike. Cut the seatpost a bit also. I had to also exchange the handlebar stem to something a little shorter. Get rid of the psylos unless they have a tight spring and are set to your weight. I would also suggest a much heavier oil than the light weight oil that comes standard in the shocks. Great bike for people who want to do a nice cross country ride mixed with some aggressive downhill. I also use the bike for street/urban rides/jumps and huge stair drops and stair runs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alan
a
from rochester
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | tryon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | The bike zone | | Strengths: | Good value for price, dike has held up well for a person my size | | Weaknesses: | Broke the driveside chain stay, it was going over acoulpe of roots cross ways torquing the rear end pretty hard | | Bottom Line: | Overall agreat bike, the chain stay problem doesnt seem to be wide spread, giant warranty very good, no problems or cost to me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Superstore | | Strengths: | Strong frame and components
Plush rear shock, front too
good brakes once bedded in.
| | Weaknesses: | None really
had to sit down for a while and adjust the brakes till they were perfect, once I did that they didnt squeel at all | | Similar Products Used: | not many. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Primo platforms and much better chain
(cut the seat post a fair bit to get it nice n low inorder to do drops, DH etc... | | Bottom Line: | An awsome bike with really good value for money.
I have heard that you can get a "plate" that can give you an extra inch or so of travel on the rear shock. So instead of 6inch rear travel you can have 7 and a bit.
If you know anything about this please let me know, info would be much appreciated.
By the way I paid $3330 AUS for the bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John McTainsh
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Blackstone | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Ashgrove Cycles | | Strengths: | Great bike for extreme trail riding. Very plush ride on rough terain. Brakes are very powerful. Sticks to the ground very well going up and down. Good component spec for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub failed after 6 months due to me doing trials (replaced under warantee). Fork seals started leaking after 3 months. Broke 6 rear deraileur hangers. Tyres are too heavy. Can be quite tiring riding it up hill due to the drive train bob and tyres sucking up your energy. Can't lower the seat very far. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried a Kona Stinky but too heavey and no hydraulic brakes. Specialized Enduro. | | Bike Setup: | 650lb rear shock spring. Raceface bash ring. XTR rear deraileur. | | Bottom Line: | This is a light free-ride bike, don't go hacking off 6' walls if you don't know how to land softly. This bike is made to be ridden long and hard.
TIP:
If the bike starts breaking rear hangers then the deraileur is bent and MUST be replaced. Switching to 2 chain rings and a mid cage deraileur helps too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riley Phillips
a
from Regina, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | in search of | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Outtabounnds | | Strengths: | Very good bike for the money. The Psylo has been an excellent fork, no problems with the Pro Deluxe. The bike is a bit heavy for a cross country bike, so buy a cross country bike if you are concerned about weight. Component spec is sweet. | | Weaknesses: | Tires (sort of). The Michelins are really heavy, you can save a couple pounds by switching to other 2.5's. They peddle like you're riding a flat, and wear rapidly. I am almost due for new tires.
They are great tires if you do more trails(I'm mostly urban right now) and need a tough tire. I've never had a pinch flat yet and I'm a clysdale. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried stinky's, FSR's, and Rocky's but the fact that you can adjust the front and rear travel, and the component spec made me choose the Giant. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but with Funn peddles(they open beer!), and I just put in a heavy spring in the psylo and a 700lbx2 in the Pro Deluxe. SOOO Sweet. Any clydsdale on an AC2, I REALLY recommend the heavy springs. | | Bottom Line: | Why does a fat guy like me not blow his rear shock and skinny punks blow theirs after "2 days" or what ever. Peeps, the compression and rebound are only for controlling spring oscillations, NOT to keep your suspension from bottoming out. Get a heavier spring if your riding style overloads the rear suspension(or a new bike, or a better riding technique). Anyway, Giant has a great bike with Great specs that will last a long time if you don't pound on it(read:proper technique). I suck, but I'm learning and practicing. Everytime I do something huge (for me 4ft flat to flat)and bottom it out I figure some guy who rides a hard tail can do the same thing, so what's the problem, the bike or the rider. So, in the end, Great bike, great components. Just keep practising and remember, sure buy an AC2 because it is a good deal but mre importantly, just buy a bike that suits you're needs and RIDE.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a
from austin,tx,usa
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | jumping stuff | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | performance cycles | | Strengths: | super strong lots of travel fun to ride alot better than my old bike | | Weaknesses: | soft psylo springs stock in the six inch mode the whell has to much leverage and makes u bottom out more and harder to climb so keep it in the 5.15 mode dual crown forks are against the waranty | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is so sweet u can barely feel eight stairs and it rides so good up and down the only thing is u need some stiffer springs in the front shock | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cam Sherriff
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1010.00 | | Purchased At: | phantomcycles.com.au | | Strengths: | (This review is for the AC3)
Solid-feeling suspension action. Very plush. Allows you to ride over rockier terrain without winding up on your arse, in other words, gives you confidence to take harder lines. Feels fast and very smooth. | | Weaknesses: | The frame seems fine, it was just the Pro Deluxe shock which gave way- blew seals even when adjusted to correct settings. Therefore, I can't fault the frame, just the shock. | | Similar Products Used: | AC2 | | Bike Setup: | AC3 frame, '99 Marzocchi Z1 Drop Off's, Sun DitchWitch wheels with Deore disc hubs, LX derailleurs with Deore shifters, XSIV 4-piston hydraulic discs (Grimeca System 8 copy), Azonic Shorty stem with Kona DH bars, ODI Intense Lock-on grips, Shimano 646 pedals, RaceFace Prodigy cranks, WTB SST saddle, Duro Wildlife Leopard 2.6 front tire, Factory DH 2.1 rear tire | | Bottom Line: | This bike excels at fast, downhill trails, and gives you the confidence to go just that little bit faster and come out unscathed. It handles well-sized drops with out even a murmer of disapproval- as long as your shock is set up ok and you have the spring which is suited to your weight, not with the shock wound up to the max, like a lot of people do. The bombers make a great front end for the bike, and I think a pair of Z1 freerides would suit even better. When I have the cash!
This is my first FS trail bike, and so far I would have to say, after riding hardtails for seven years, I definately prefer the speed which I can get out of an FS bike. The hardtail is not dead though- my Roast still rocks!
It even pedals uphill, without too much bob, which is always good. Anyway, if you can ride up hills on this bike, imagine what you can do on a XC hardtail- smokem!
All up, an awesome bike that allows you to go harder than you thought you could.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jordan brown
a Weekend Warrior
from fl
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | jd park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | mcs | | Strengths: | the whole thing | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | this bike is awesome what the h*ll r u people b*tchin about shimmed seatposts, and the shock bottoming out... theres people in hard tails riding the same stuff u ride they dont complain. and h*ll 5000 doller downhill bikes have shimmed seat posts. my point is stop b*tchin and ride and u wont notice these petty things. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Lopez
a Weekend Warrior
from El Monte,CA.,Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | JPL, El Prieto | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Jones Bikes, San Marino | | Strengths: | Bang for the Buck. Ready to ride out of the box. Beefy, stiff, hucker, smooth on trails, easy to jump, 6 inches of travel, and easy to manuver on the trail. With a few modifications, this bike can compete with $4,000.00 botique bikes. After all the changes, maybe I should have just built this bike from scratch. | | Weaknesses: | Rock Shock Rear, a Romic will fix that bob. What's up with the plastic brake bodies, they suck! Heavy, but your legs get used to climbing this tank. Bend in the seatpost stay. I had to cut my seat post 4 inches in order to lower the seat for the steeper decends, drop-ins, and jumps. I had to give up ride height. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth ID, Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | XT divetrain w/ Ride On gortex cables, Azonic Hammer stem(point and shoot), 2.5 inch Answer Pro Taper DH bar, Azonic Hot seat, Azonic Wide Pro pedals, I changed those plastic brakes to the Hayes metal bodies with the Stiffy Razor Roc blades(sweet), and my new Romic shock is coming next month. I'm still thinking about a dual crown fork...mmm. | | Bottom Line: | It's black, aggresive, beefy, and lot's of travel. It's a great overall, all around bike. It rides well on the trails, a bit heavy on the climbs. It even kept up with the big boys at BIG BEAR. With some minor...er...major modifications, it can smoke anything on the trail. Unbelievable value and quality. Customize your set up, and the AC2 is golden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Miller
a Downhiller
from Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Your Mom | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Teton Cykle werks | | Strengths: | good bike grate for riding it on stuff
better than bmx
grate for freeriding and acceptable for downhill | | Weaknesses: | handool bars suck
phsylo
seat new grips should be put on it | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized vegas, Haro t-boner
ac2 | | Bike Setup: | ac2 all stock but platforms | | Bottom Line: | good bike
BUY IT
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Fulcrum
a Weekend Warrior
from River Vale, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Watchung | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.westwoodcycle.com | | Strengths: | Coming off a hard-tail this bike bombs the downhills like an animal. It destroys anything in it's path. Phat tires. Brakes rock. Rides high like a CR-125 MTX bike. Nice component group for the $$$. | | Weaknesses: | Not as good on the climbs, just takes some getting used to. Psylo XC. Way too soft out of the box. For a cheap fix upgrade to the Extra heavy spring right off the bat. Will help prevent bottom-out & extra bob. You won't regret it. | | Similar Products Used: | Haro X-3, Giant NRS-1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock accept for upgraded fork spring & Azonic A Frame platforms. | | Bottom Line: | For an all around Freeride / X-Country type bike to go & rip some trails & have a couple laughs w/ your bud's the AC-2 w/ above mentioned changes is a great buy for under 2K.
I wanna give a shout out to my peeps Mark, Alan, & the rest of the wrench-heads @ Westwood Cucle Westwood, NJ for the hooks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike weiss
a Cross Country Rider
from new york
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ninham mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | L.I. | | Strengths: | I love this bike.it climbs like an animal it takes well toke big hits.this bike is perfect for the type of riding i do.I been to many places in the past 6 months.And lots of drop sessions,urban rides,highly tech singletrack,and agressive cross country with my ac2 but the main riding i do carmel is my place i ride this place is tough on your bike .i have this years ac2 and the whole bike is great but i have had problems. | | Weaknesses: | I blew the psylo,broke rebound knob not off but it (it bottemed out)cracked,the damping(blue knob fell off)off the pro deluxe.now the worst happen yesterday!my rear chainstay broke craked right off.There is even a steel reignforcement in there but it broke right at the welds.now i am a die hard giant rider and i love them,but if this happens again i will have to turn elsewhere.like i said the bike is great i love it it eats up extreme terrain and big hits. but giant should'nt show a kid jumping off an 10 foot wall in there ads and it don't matter all the ac frames are the same. And when i got the ac my rear hub seized up but i brought it back to my dealer and they replaced it with a whole new rim with an xt hub.giant said they had problems with the hubs so thy re-specd the bike with an xt hub. | | Similar Products Used: | bullit,stinky. | | Bike Setup: | all stock,accept for rock ring | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great.alot of bike for the buck.swap out the psylo xc if you like psylo's get a race.Or marzocci z1 and a bigger spring rate in the back | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Theodore
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | lysterfield/churchill park drops | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | freedommachine.com.au | | Strengths: | REVIEW FOR AC3
MTBR, US bikes aren't the only bikes!!!
>it goes down...really fast
I was going to go for the NRS 2 which was the same price, then i read that the frame actually creases and not dents...thats just weak, and i've ridden those nrs's more than once and they just can't downhill. I actually bought this on special for AU$2500 and the shop wouldnt let me change out more parts than the handlebars and derailleurs. Otherwise I would have got raceface, thompson and other goodies. Now i'll have to wait for another sale.
Hooks up and drives with few slips on uphill. To make climbing better all u have to do is max the compression and twist up the spring a bit on 4.5" travel and it's basically locked out, or is it cos i'm only 55kg. u can even do that effectively on 6". But i find that pretty useless since locking out makes it jump all around the technical and gravel sections. A little bit of sag never hurt anyone. At the top it only takes a few seconds to rig it to full 6" plush travel. Downhills like a dream, ditches, gravel, drops and all. Hardly feel anything with 125mm psylo (but probably a bit too soft at times; i get the feeling it will bottom out one of theses days) and the motoraptors have saved my ass more than once. They are a bit slidy cornering and hold mud like rain tank. You can bet ur luck that by the time it comes to buying a new bike (if i ever do, haha) after this i will be an all round better rider. Just pushes u with more confidence on the dh. And im sure if i ever get fit enough this thing can enter a few xc races. big al is short = control, and so do wide handlebars...i got xc risers in place of the ringleader but left them uncut. | | Weaknesses: | REVIEW FOR AC3
MTBR, US bikes aren't the only bikes!!!
>uphill, im more of an xc oriented person
Now for the complaints. Hayes mechs suck! My mongoose D50's vbrakes stop better, and faster, and with more control. Even the nrs 3 has avid sd3's and they stop a whole metre before these hayes. get avid cps if u can switch em at the shop. I know i plan to, unless these hayes break in before my next service or two...the manual says 30-40 stops; well i'm almost there. U could scare all the wildlife out of the trail at the rate they squeal. the motoraptors have been chucking gravel chips at the downtube at high speeds...surprisingly though, there is little chain slap. good on u Giant! There is no reason u shouldnt get this bike, unless ur a paranoid weight weenie who has a hardened rear - get a hardtail. while this thing has a bit of problem with weight, but u can't expect anything else from a freeride/trailbike - mine weighs in at about 30lb (wow i hear you say). seems sluggish uphill though, it might be the tyres, they seem to lack bite but have enough grip. u can also feel the drag when sprinting. accelerates like the nrs but then stops at a point where the nrs keeps going...not that u need that much uphill | | Similar Products Used: | tested: kona bear, a few of their xc bikes, nrs 2
ridden: nrs 3 | | Bike Setup: | pro deluxe, psylo xc, XT derailleurs, motoraptors, sunrhino lites, easton monkeybar...goin to upgrade the rest i.e. deore crankset, chain, cassette, formula hubs | | Bottom Line: | upgrading from a mongoose D50 with less than 2" rear travel and a half-steel frame, then an apollo ldh with maybe 3" travel and they were both heavy, this thing is comparable in weight but not in ability
i can climb almost as well as i can on an nrs!
probably will post followup
hey i have wasted my time writing this when i could be riding!
australian buyers look for a bargain just before the 2003 range gets in...and spend the difference on upgrades
long term fun credits - you'll never regret it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Andrews
a Downhiller
from NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i'm beating you down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | not much
actually, does anyone else experience brake jack and shuddering when braking? | | Similar Products Used: | heaps | | Bike Setup: | stock, with Azonic kit, 646's, MRP, and hope M4's | | Bottom Line: | eats. this bike is so much better than anything out there exept for maybe an M1 (lol). 10 footers like kurbs. lose4 the kranks and brakes, and it's a winner! So, so, so good! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mart L
a Downhiller
from Ottawa,Ontario,canada
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | fresh air | | Strengths: | hayes brakes,XT derailers,looks awsome,rear shocks works like a charm.... super adjustable travel(front and back)
the 20 mm front axel kicks ars and I realy dig the tulio screw in systeme.... climbs well ... descents well | | Weaknesses: | rear stock spring is too soft I swaped the 5oo pound stock for a 700 pounder (I weight about 165).the spylo is nice but to soft bottoms out with ease .. my crank arm became loose but a bit of red locktigh toke care of that probleme.
its not an XC nor a DH ... freeride maybe ... but it climbs soo well ... oh well | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky , big hit pro , kona stab , devinci kingpin , kona chute. | | Bike Setup: | um pretty much stock exapt for the 700 pound spring and the pedals I put a pair of primo flats on | | Bottom Line: | bottom line is that this bike rips up the mountain.. its a good climber and is awsome on the downhill .. and is great for urbain usault.I think the front fork will eventualy have to be replaced .. but before changing try adding some 15 weight oil instead of the stck 5 weight...stock spring on this buike are too soft .. I guesse the giant test riders are all 100 pound super skinner dudes... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Melb, Vic, Aust
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ivanhoe cycles | | Strengths: | Tyre's, Suspension, Frame and Components | | Weaknesses: | It’s got more Kg's compared to my old hard tail (ATX830), I’ll just have to get fitter. | | Similar Products Used: | AC3, XTC NRS3, | | Bike Setup: | Standard but I’ve got a front guard
You’ll need one coz the tyre’s are sooooo good they grip well to well they grip small rocks and throw them in your face | | Bottom Line: | This bike is good for all types of riding XC, down hill, Free ride aaaaahhhhhh yes FREE RIDE this bike is MAD >:-)-
See a line that your mates wont take “you can do it” this baby ride’s over all the rocks, bumps and even your mate’s when thay come off. I looked at all the bike avalibule in Australia and the Giant NRS XTC1 came close but if you ride the AC in “ALL CONDITIONS” you’ll get one to.
Ps; all conditions is riding up hills to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen .
a Weekend Warrior
from Ga
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | mansell | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Roswell Bicycles | | Strengths: | damn... what a steal of a deal i got. brand new for 1500! not only is this bike a beast, but it can hold its own in pedaling. im not a fan of hydrolics but the hayes kick but. cranks are supper beefy. tullio in the front fork is nice to | | Weaknesses: | heafty(my 19inch AC is 38 pounds stock with a "the" fender), i was shootin for the 33 pound range.
i figured out the tullio in about 5 min.(im new to discs and tullio and all). when i finally got the front rim off i squezed the front brake to look at the pads move. but then when i put the front wheel back on the front disc was rubbing(sounds like i did something wrong), and since im new to discs i dont know how to fix it.
the rear end sting bugs when braking. | | Similar Products Used: | ac air(what i was planning on getting) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for oury grips and a the front fender | | Bottom Line: | this bike totally kicks but. im totally a fan of mechanicals discs but i have no problems using the hayes at all. this bike has tuff parts to take any abuse that you throw at it but it comes at a price in heft. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh
a Weekend Warrior
from puyallup WA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1585.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Question for anyone who knows this bike? Look down to last entry! | | Weaknesses: | Question for anyone who knows this bike? Look down to last entry! | | Similar Products Used: | Question for anyone who knows this bike? Look down to last entry! | | Bike Setup: | ? | | Bottom Line: | I just bought an AC2 over ebay, got a smokin' deal on it and I know why. It didnt come with the pedals, front disk rotor or a manual/registration. Trying to deal with that but my QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS IS-
Being that I dont have a manual to set it up straight out of the box can you all send me some advice on setting up the rear shock and pyslo XC front. I got the rest down, cables and all but the shock situation is tricky and I dont want to mess it up. Thanks, email is JOSHREAM@TSUNAMICOMM.NET.
I appreciate it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike GIANT RULZ!!!
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | THIS IS A REVIEW FOR AN AC3 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles Saint-Laurent (the best LBS ever!) | | Strengths: | -->(REVIEW FOR AC3)<--
The value of this bike is unbeatable ($2000 CANADIAN), for the Americans reading this, you have to check it out at the Australian giant website (the Canadian one has messed up specs). I cannot understand why there is not an AC3 in every country. Titec stuff is amazing. The crank is fine for this bike. Derailleurs are all you need. The fork is very plush and I am pleased with the stiffness, my friend has a 2001 drop off and this one feels almost as stiff. The U-Turn is incredibly useful. The frame design is terrific; the rear shock soaks up everything. I weigh 160lbs and everything feels great. The bike is not that heavy either; it only weighs about 31lbs, for this type of bike that is excellent. The compression knob practically lets you lock out the shock; I have hit 55km/h on a flat while in 3" and 6". BTW, do not listen to the bs about the rear shock breaking down, as long as you DO NOT EXCEED TWO FULL TURNS of the coil for compression nothing bad will come of it. | | Weaknesses: | -->(REVIEW FOR AC3)<--
Now, no bike is perfect, the only problem I have is getting the disks to shut up, hopefully within another month the noises will stop. Other than that I cannot complain. If someone can give me advice on the disks please email me, I'd greatly appreciate it. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 AC2 with boxxer, 2002 Giant DH Team with 2000 Shiver, XTC NRS. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (Psylo XC, Titec Ringleader, Titec Big Al, Hayes HMX-1, Shimano LX/XT, Deore Crank, Titec Seat Post, Rhyno Lite, Deore hubs) | | Bottom Line: | -->(REVIEW FOR AC3)<--
I cannot imagine any reason not to buy this bike unless you have more cash to spend in which case I would get an AC2 or AC1. Giant has the best value bikes by far. This bike is perfect for what I do. I came from a hard tail and the slight bobbing doesn't bother me, who cares if it takes me another minute to get somewhere. If it were not for the disks rubbing it would be flawless. I recommend this bike to anyone looking for a sweet deal, or a great freeride solution. Note, freeride should be taken quite literally with this bike, there is a total travel range of 4.5" People looking for a strong xc dually should consider this as well, with the shock on 4.5" and the psylo on 3" there is NO BOB; mind you it is slightly heavy but in turn that much stronger. Giant has done its homework on this one, great job guys. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Andrews
a Downhiller
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i'm beating you down | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | trade-in on prize (thanks AMB) | | Strengths: | (NOTE: this review is for an AC 3)
Pretty burly, plush as a Bullit, cheap as chips, customer service, didn't hafta wait 2-3 months (READ: years) for a bullit, awesome value | | Weaknesses: | (NOTE: this review is for an AC 3)
A fair bit of lateral flex*
*( to be honest, i'm a clydesdale doing 5 + foot drops, everything flexes for me) | | Similar Products Used: | (NOTE: this review is for an AC 3)
Mates AC 2 (bad brakes), the Bullit i had ordered, Dh Comp, FSR extreme, C'dale Gemini's, elsworth ID, kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | (NOTE: this review is for an AC 3)
Stock, with 646 DH spd's and the titec stuff has been replaced by Azonic stuff, soon to have some 8 " Xt discs, MRP guide, and maybe a new boXXer Freeride | | Bottom Line: | (NOTE: this review is for an AC 3)
Within 5 minutes of rolling out the shop door, i hit the sweetest 5 footer around, and had the smoothest landing i've ever done. This bike eats anything, and whatever it doesn't eat is turned into a launching pad. Apart from a bit of lateral fex, it's sweet as. For free it was great value too. Compered to my old FSR, it feels active, plush, sturdier and plush. Not to mention plush.
Put it this way, the bike goes on a double date with the FSR, makes the FSR pay, Beats the s**t out of the FSR and then steals its' girlfriend.
5 flamin' ones
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Hogan
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Queensland, Oz
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Cootha (See Simpsons Falls Reviews!) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1375.00 | | Purchased At: | Strathpine Cycles Brisbane | | Strengths: | NOTE: This is a review for AC3, not AC2. Only on layby - test ridden only | | Weaknesses: | Warning: DO NOT RIDE THIS BIKE WITHOUT CORRECTLY SPECCING THE REAR SPRING!! Everyone trashes the rear Rock Shock by preloading it, rather than having the correct spring rating. More than two turns of preload and you WILL destroy your shock by blowing the seals etc. Giant can help you choose the best spring - email them.
Also, don't stick any monster dual crown forks on this bike. Not even Jnr Ts ! Get a full on DH bike otherwise. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant warp ds1, Craftworks, own a Norco Nitro with bombers etc. | | Bike Setup: | Standard. This is the go: Spec spring for the six inch travel setting, then when using 4.5 inches of travel for XC etc, rate will be firmer without needing to adjust shock. This is probably what you want for XC riding etc. If you do it the other way round, you get plush 4.5" travel, but you'll bottom out when in 6" mode, and will need preload. See weaknesses above. | | Bottom Line: | I'm eating noodles until I've paid this baby off. Can't wait!! Will probably ditch Psylo in favour of a Z1 Bomber ASAP. Oh Yeah, Bring it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ja-Ja-Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Puyallup, WA US of A baby
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$1585.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Everything! | | Weaknesses: | rear spring needs to possibly be upgraded cause of my 200 "pound club" weight | | Similar Products Used: | AC1, AC Air, NRS | | Bike Setup: | Not yet | | Bottom Line: | I just wanted to add after extensive reading of MTB's reviews and other sites along with bike shop guy chitter chatta I was sold on the AC series. At first I almost bought a brand new AC1 2001 but then I ran across this baby on ebay and the end result was $1585 US with shipping.
I'm stoked to rip this beast for the memorial day weekend so I'll update on the ride. Rode the one's at the shops but remember, they dont have em dialed in to your body so everything will feel less than its going to feel once you got this bad boy on your work stand set up in your garage tuning it till dusk preparing it for that first run down the slopes on your new ripper machine.
Bustin out hits on this bike while ya'll be sportin your trikes, ouwin and auwin while I'm bawlin' and hawlin ass all over the trail, the measure of me rippin is off tha rictor scale, so the next time you see a black streak blaze by, wave hi and stand by for the blast of my fast ass rippin past,
- and I'm out!
Reamair on this flare † | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Otis Elmquist
a Downhiller
from Puyallup, WA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | luv everything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | Has ajustable suspention. Great for downhill and crosscountry. | | Weaknesses: | Not a true downhill or crosscountry bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana | | Bike Setup: | Full suspention. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for you if you like to downhill and crosscountry ride. I never use the upper sprocket so I got a bashring for it. I have done 3 races. 1st place on an 8 mile gravity assisted crosscountry course. 4th at a Downhill race. Did not place my other race. Great bike for the money. Has great components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Clements
a Weekend Warrior
from Tasmania
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Drops Track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Mc Bains | | Strengths: | WARNING!!! This is for an AC3, because MTBR doesn't have a spot for an AC3 review, so AC2 will have to do! Strengths... Well, where do I start... Plush, comfy, awesome modulation and power from the mechanical hayes, good Deore/LX gears, AWESOME Psylo XC's, 5 and 6", great bars stem and seatpost. Awesome frame!!! The list goes on!!! | | Weaknesses: | Crap climber!!! Thats about all. | | Similar Products Used: | Craftwroks FRM125, Kona Stinky.... | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This (AC3 not AC2) is great... It can take the big hits, fast DH's, you could almost get a podium finish downhilling on this beast... Light, and good 'whipability', soaks it all up with a huge laugh! Great work Giant!!! Value rating is awesome!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Nass
a Weekend Warrior
from Westminster
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mark's Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | O'Neils Bike Shop | | Strengths: | 8 inch disc brakes- awesome stopping power, race face cranks. The bike can take the abuse if you are willing to dish it out. Michelin Wildgripper DH Comp tires at 2.5inches wide, This bike is easy to handle, likes the speed plus the drops. I have done six footers and the bike love them, not extremly heavy. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic levers oh well upgrade them when they break and they will. The S bend where the seat post goes (minor), other than that there is not much else to complain about on this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Kona Stinky demo | | Bike Setup: | 8 inch Hydraulic Hayes disc, Rock Shox Pshylo XC with 3-5 of travel with a 20mm thru-axel, race face cranks, xt front and rear derauller, the rims are very strong with the 36h Sun Rhino Lite's, Rear Rock-Shox up to 6 inches of travel, just name a few of the perks. go to giantbicycles.com to check out the specs on it. | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks a#%, if you are looking for a weekend downhill bike and/or freeride bike this is the bike for you. The bike has a sweet set up for the money, you can't go wrong with this bike. I have talked to alot of people and they ask me the same questions What did the cranks cost, how much was the disc upgrade and so on? All I have to say is that's what it came with. They can't believe the set, up is soooo clutch. I would recommend this bike to anybody. The set up is sweet and it is affordable. Rip it up!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Wilson
a Racer
from Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Willians Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The frame, rear shock, definitly the forks! Tubeless tyres! | | Weaknesses: | I have only had 2 problems since i got the bike 4 days ago. The first one was my fault. I upgraded from a 2000 Model Ginat Warp DS3. The gears had to be changed with alot of force so when i got my AC2 i changed the gears in the same manner. After about 5 mins the cables stretched. But this was a problem cause by me not the bike. The second problem however is to do with the disc brakes. Today i had to slam on my front brakes to avoid running into a car pulling out from a drivway. now the front disc brake pads are constantly rubbing on the rotor. i dont know why but they wont disengage. ill get it looked at tommorow. anyhow this is a major problem. Other than these two problems this is an excellent product! | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Model Ginat Warp DS3 Stock | | Bike Setup: | Stock except the pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is definity a bike to buy! the rear linkage is a smooth as ya could ever dream and the forks are excellent!
For value ill give it a 4 cause it cost $3700 australian dollars. but over all ill give it a 5! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
big D
a Weekend Warrior
from detroit, michigan
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | bloomer | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | bikes blades and boards "b3" | | Strengths: | every thing including the price rocks. if i could have picked the way this bike is setup myself, it would look the same. the components are great and the black paint job rules!!this bike speaks for itself by the way it rides and looks. | | Weaknesses: | already found the bottom of the forks travel. | | Similar Products Used: | proflex beast | | Bike Setup: | only had to change a few things. i started with a pair of KORE platforms, a SALSA bash guard, and a THE front fender. thinking abount a longer THOMPSON stem.(only because im 6 foot five inches.) | | Bottom Line: | if you ride hard on the trails and session the local hangout even harder, the AC2 is 4 u. 5 chilis for value,but 4 overall beacause im going to upgrade the fork since im pushing 200 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mekon
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very good all round bike, not much else has the bang for your bucks ratio like this black beast of a bike.
Very adjustable.
All those gussets... droooollllllll
8" Hayes...mmmmmmm
Rhyno Lites, I've had good experiences with this rim
It's stealthy black
Titec stuff is pretty sweet, those Ringleader Hellbents are W I D E
| | Weaknesses: | That freakin rock shox pro deluxe put me out of action for 3 weeks!!! The rebound adjuster became hard to turn, i think dirt or something got stuck in the threads (?) The plastic pins that turn the threaded metal rebound adjuster sheared straight off rendering it useless... got it all fixed under warranty, i think they replaced it with a new part, that is the pins of the plastic shaft seem a little fatter.
Few squeeks here and there... just check all the pivots.
A little heavy, nothing compared to some others but my last ride was a hardtail and it wasn't meant to be light!!!
A little rear lateral flex, but that's to be expected | | Similar Products Used: | old school steel rigid Diamond Back Topanga
Mongoose Comp SX (go the goose)
a whole lot of my mates bikes, mostly alu. hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock, just a few aesthetic things:
Black Spire Big Ring Protector
Lizard Skin Chainstay
PVC down tube protector
Gotta chuck some Oury's on | | Bottom Line: | It was time to move on from the great times i had on the goose, and after looking around, nothing much could really offer me anything in an overall package with such a good part mix. Much better than last years, bigger discs, updated fork, better cockpit.
I was a little disgruntled by the rear shock but hey got it fixed and besides that it seems to be working ok....
Great bike for throwing around.
No doubt this bike has a lot of potential for me to get a lot crazier...
Haven't had any troubles with the Psylos but wouldn't mind upping them to a Jr. T once the warranty has expired, but that's a fair way off...
This bike is highly recommended, helluvalot of fun.....
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B-Man
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Valley of the 5 lakes , Jasper Alberta | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle St-Laurent , Mtl , Quebec | | Strengths: | All around ability bike. Solid frame and components. Looks like a beast , big and beefy. Rides like a dream , nimble and light. Really good looks. I don't know if anyone else has felt this , but for me being a tall person. The riding position feels alot better. | | Weaknesses: | None sofar! Tires slow you down a bit, but who really cares unless your racing. The fun factor eliminates that. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 , Kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | Out of the box | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides very close to my old hardtail on the X-coutry trails. Make a few changes and your cruising downhill over just about anything that gets in the way. I have not experience any of the problems I have seen here. I am 6'1" 205 pounds, picked the large frame and it fits like a glove. Does not feel heavy and even if it is 5 - 10 pounds heavier, who really feels the weight ? ( unless your a racer ?) And don't gimme that Cr*p that you can't go uphill with this thing. If you are set up properly there is almost no movement in the back of the bike. I think the ones that complain are the ones that never really liked to climb anyways. I have never felt such a big change in a bike. Changing from hardtail to this bike is the best thing I ever did .. It is just pure fun. No more feeling like your riding a jackhammer. Pure fun and pleasure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor Dennis
a Downhiller
from Jackson Hole, Wy
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | its a Secret | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1845.00 | | Purchased At: | Teton Cycle Werks | | Strengths: | 8" rotors get me stoped really fast. Plush rear end. Its adjustable. Price was really nice | | Weaknesses: | 1st week or so the breaks wouldnt stay centered. I had to fiddel with em all the time. NOW THEY R PERFECT | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky, Specailized Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Azonic Love Seat. Soon to change the fork to a 6"DC fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks my world. Plush. Pretty light. Responcive. Takes the drops and rocks like a 7-8" DH bike. Giant really put together a great bike for the money. Race Face cranks and BB. Titec,Sun Ringle, Hayes, Michelin. Great bike love it. We will have many fun rides together. I suggest this bike to free riders who r geting into DH but still wants to go up the hill.Fantastic bike I urge u all to buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Viers
a Weekend Warrior
from m.v. cali. usa
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | cyrstal cove | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclewerks | | Strengths: | SUPER-PLUSH!!!great value for the dough. 8" rotors work great. not tooo heavy. this is THE bike for the guy who does it all!! | | Weaknesses: | rock shox fork. I've had the bike for two days and the u-turn travel adjuster(plastic cap) BROKE!!! W.T.F??!!! should have fronted the extra $500 for the AC-1 | | Similar Products Used: | specialized big-hit, enduro, trek fuel 90d | | Bike Setup: | stock with portapers and lockjaw grips | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! A little dissapointed W/ the fork. would have thought a problem like this would show up in R&D, not when a consumer plops down for a P.O.S. plastic cap that breaks when you crank on it! I gave it four flamers overall, though this bike is the shizzzz!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt, Street , You name it | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good spec, Best value in its class by 50 miles. 22-34 low gear helps out nicely. Well balanced suspension(Bit soft though). Raceface ISIS BB/Crank is nice and stiff. | | Weaknesses: | Back shock. 1st one lasted a day, 2nd one lasted about three. Third one is a bit better. Lots of adjustablity is always good though. The swing arm is also a bit wiggly, would have liked to see a wider pivot and a bit of a torque box to stiffen things up a bit. Seat post is the crappiest thing I have ever seen. Flexy plastic brake lever body. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | SDG Bel-Air seat, Shimano Spd646 pedals (no Plastic Stuff), Cut down bars (inch off either side makes all the differance) | | Bottom Line: | Bargain. Sounds like a few people had shock problems but warranty should sort that out. Good bike for just about anything; Jumps, street, all day-ers, does'nt even climb bad for a fatty. Not the best bike ever, but pretty close to the best value ever. Buy it if you ride everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from fayetteville AR, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | U of A campus | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | strong frame, good rear shock, nice geometry | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Switch, Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1, intense mag 30 wheels, xt frt, xtr rear, xt cranks, azonic double wall, hayes disk, krupi pedals | | Bottom Line: | There is nothing out there for the money that can touch the 02' AC frame. I absolutely love this bike. I handles just about anything i can throw at it, even a 9' huck. This bike is designed to do everything pretty good, but nothing really good. That is the price you pay for a do it all bike. It can be set up for cross country, but a little heavy. Can also be used for light duty down hill, but lacks travel and double crown forks void warranty. Can also be used for free ride, but frame not designed for any drops much bigger then 6 ft. I have done huge drops (10 ft) onto a transition, and bike handled it fine. I bottomed everything, but broke nothing. This bike rocks for small urban hucking. All in all, an excellent bike at an attractive price. PS, dont let the Rock Shox fool you, i have absolutely beat my shock, and it has never failed me. It works wonderfully. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Supreme Cycles, Narrabeen | | Strengths: | Front fork
Hydro Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Had Faulty Rear Shock (Roch Shox Pro Deluxe) A plate inside that adjusts the rebound came loose so you couldn't adjust the rebound and it came up outrageeously slowly (e.g 5 sec to bounce almost back.) Have heard that 3 Other AC's have been taken back to have the shock fixed. Bout a ten day turn around. Technically not a problem with the bike but with rock shox | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Platforms | | Bottom Line: | Follow up to a post earlier i must have pulled my last price out my a*s cause i actually paid $3100 and apart from the faulty shock (see above) it has been great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Brumbaugh
a Racer
from Brigham City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | still lookin' around | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Loveland's Custom Bicycles | | Strengths: | Ultra strong and stiff frame. Very versatile design with 4.5 to 6" of rear travel without affecting the frame geometry, and a solid mix of great parts for a great price. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic pedals? Plastic brake levers? | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Time Atac Alium pedals | | Bottom Line: | I know what you're thinking, "What's this guy doing putting clipless pedals on a freeride bike?" They are a good choice given the conditiond that I generally ride in (dry, loose, and rocky). But really, this is a great bike. It is by far the most bang for the buck in it's price range and it is built very well. It has a strong frame and a proven suspension design that works very well. The rear shock does seem to spring back pretty harshly and makes a dull "thud" if you don't wind down the rebound damper enough. I like the rear shock though because you can nearly lock it out with the compression damper. If you are looking for a bike to go out and thrash it hard and you want it to last for more than a week, this is a good bike. Set it in it's long travel setting and it is very plush (great for downhilling).
Very Cool! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2799.00 | | Purchased At: | West Shore Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great Frame
Rockshox stuff performs great (but)
XT and raceface shift awesome
Loving the seat and all the titec stuff
Hayes 8" Discs are the best money can buy | | Weaknesses: | Well Rockshox does have a bad reputation about durability...no problems yet though
Michelin tires are just plain bad at just about everything: they roll slow, pack up easily, and slide like crazy in the westcoast mud (and snow recently)
A seatpost Shim? | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive's, Brodie Thumper, Kona Stinky, AC3 and AC1, Cannondale Gemini 2000....everything in this price range | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Mosh Flats and AC1 frame which I much prefer to the plain black AC2 one | | Bottom Line: | This bike came out to about $3000 Canadian (thanks to Mr. Campbell and his taxes, b@stard..) with taxes. It blew all bikes in the similar price range out of the water in terms of value. I due wonder though why Giant speced $120 clip less pedals on a freeride bike when $50 Mosh flats are what really should be there. The tires just suck I will swap them out as soon as they wear down which shouldn't take more than a week considering how much they wore down after 1 ride.
The Psylo fork is great. I love the U-Turn it's just plain awesome. I think it's sprung a little to light for me (180) but it hasn't bottomed yet. The Super Deluxe makes weird noises once and a while but works better than my Vanilla R. The Compression adjustment makes it so you can almost lock it out in the 6" setting or make it super plush. Don't forget to use some sort of lube before every ride and they stay super smooth.
As for the drive train it works flawlessly along with the titec stuff and WTB Speed V saddle. The Wheels which I have not mentioned I cannot decide what I think about them. The hub choice was ok because XT disc hubs require constant rebuilding up here where as when the Formula Discs wear out it's a $3 fix. The Rhino Lytes I also worry about but hopefully 36 spokes and XL version should offset there small size.
And the Frame the best part of the bike. My local shop swapped out the stock one for me and got me the beautiful AC1 frame instead! I suggest anyone to do this who is thinking of buying. The 3 travel settings work great. In the 4.5 mode the travel is pretty hard and quite progressive which can be almost locked out with compression adjustment. The 5.15 mode is where I spend most of my time for general trail riding. Going out with my friends to be a menace to security guards, I use the 6 inch mode super plush, a little to much (I need a heavier spring)but that's what compression is for.
I could suggest this bike to just about anyone even my dad, a guy that if he leaves the ground something is terribly wrong. The large size is fine for me (6"1) but there's not a lot of seat post adjustment, I'm considering putting an Axiom Telescopic post on. Overall nothing else compares.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Worland
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Ashfield Cycles - Best deal in town by a long shot. | | Strengths: | NOTE - this is for the AC3 - available in Australia. Main difference is HMX mechanical discs, pedals & cranks, MotoRaptor tyres.
Value for Money!
Looks damn tough. | | Weaknesses: | LX rear shifter. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS2, Giant ATX 870 (99 model) | | Bike Setup: | Stock with XT rear derailler, Shimano M747. | | Bottom Line: | Damn happy with this bike. Was looking for full suspension with disc brakes (preferably mechanical as I don't need the hydraulic power or maintenance issues) and was leaning towards the NRS2. However, this bike is FAR more versatile then the NRS range for a very small weight difference (and same price). The NRS is a XC bike & always will be - the AC3 is three bikes in one. I can't afford a new steed for a couple of years now, and this bike gives me room to grow. Coming from the hardtail I have been doing mostly XC riding, but now I am starting to get into urban assault riding. It is sooo adjustable - from XC to lite downhill in about 2 minutes on the trial. Very easy to adjust - also has full rebound and compression damping adjustments front & rear. The bike is far better then I am.
Hays mechanicals are a bugger to break in, but are starting to come good - I can see the promise they have. Squeal like a b*tch when breaking them in.
Got an excellent deal with Ashfield cycles - no BS with them, gave me the best price (by a long shot) within seconds of talking to them (do your homework first!).
MotoRaptors roll very well especially for the size of them (2.4) but can be a little suspect on wet surfaces I think.
For the money no bike comes close in regards to stock components in Australia (where the dollar is comparable to the Peso). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimbojones
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver, B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | bucket of blood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | This bike is built to last. Very minimal upgrades are required (see weaknesses) The bike just "feels" right and for the price far exceeds everything else. The '02 psylo's are a definate improvment over the '01's and are almost as good a feel as a Z-1 (I said almost! It's on my future upgrade list). | | Weaknesses: | Plastic Brake levers, up graded to Hayes HFX mag (much better feel and worth the extra $$) shifters, up grade to XT (ya, ya minimal I know)and the rear shock tops out harshly unless the rebound is wound in quite far, (got shop to send back to RS) upgrade to Fox if you have the chance.
The clipless pedals with the resin cage are pretty weak. At least you can swap them for a decent pair of flats when you buy the bike (worth the same $) | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Switch & Slayer, Norco Drop, Brodie Diablo, Kona Stinky, Specialized Enduro Pro, Fisher Level Betty | | Bike Setup: | Stock exept for a ring god, XT shifters, Hayes mag levers and 646 DH pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome! I've tried everything else in the same price range and nothing touches it, far better than a Kona Stinky and the Rocky Switch is not worth the Coin. I'm 5'10 170 lbs with a med frame and this bike is extremely strong and motivates you to do bigger and bigger drops (7.5 feet and increasing with no problems). The tires make the bike sluggish on any soft stuff, but really shine when things go downhill. If you are considering this bike, look at everything else first to really appreciate this bike, you cannot get better performance and parts for the money. All other manufactures scimp somewhere, not Giant. Plus I'm really tired of freak bikes that are supposed to be "trendy". Super smooth, super accurate on skinny stuff, super tough on drops and extremely confidence inspiring. So stop reading these articles, go buy the bike, and ride man, ride!
ps. gave four chilis for overall because of plastic brake levers and rear shock | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
big al
a
from Rochester NY
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Zone | | Strengths: | Great value, 8in hayes , adjustable travel , bombproof components . | | Weaknesses: | Not sure on psylo xc , or pro delux , would have liked to see marzocchi in front and fox in rear . any one over six-three look for a larger frame | | Similar Products Used: | standary hard tail | | Bike Setup: | Stock with longer seat post and smaller tires | | Bottom Line: | If you want a heavy duty trail bike or a light duty dh bike this bike is a great bike for the money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fat Ass Man
a Weekend Warrior
from SD, CA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Lots of good components, good bang for the buck. If you want a bike that has all the bells and whistles and can handle a lot of different conditions, this is the bike for you. | | Weaknesses: | Back end was wobbly as anything with my fat butt on it. It felt like I was swaying side to side as well as up and down. Had a hard time up the hills too. I felt sort of cramped on a medium, but a large would have been too big. I could have delt with all of that had I not taken a ride on a Bullit. There's no comparison between the two. I decided to get a bullit with lesser components and v brakes over the decked out AC2. | | Bottom Line: | Overall a good bike. You'll have fun on it no doubt. But, if you already have enough cash for this bike, you may want to hold off and save a little longer (if you can) and evaluate getting a Bullit instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tanner
a Downhiller
from Langey BC
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Boogie Man | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | White Rock cycle | | Strengths: | Nice ride, good spec. 8' disks, realy nice tires, seat bars stem. Ajustable suspention. Rides realy nice so far. I like the geometry of it and Its way lighter than my old hard tail!!! Sucks up every thing. and has good tire clearance. | | Weaknesses: | The Rear shock gets a little sticky about half way into its travel. And I have hardly rode the bike yet.
Im not a sun rims fan. I will have to be nice to the little rinoes or get new wheels. The fork came way to soft for me and I'm only 160lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | I've been riding hard tail all my life. But I've rode stinky dee-lux, cheata proline Dh, Jekyll's but Mostly hard tails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock exept a ring got and axiam magnisium flat pedles | | Bottom Line: | So far so good. I can't wait untill I can go out and beat the crap out of this bike. So far All of my riding has been in the snow so I havn't realy got to test it out much. did a few small 4' drops in the snow and some snow jumps. But I think it should be a good bike. The only thing I'm really worried about is the rear shock.
Hopfully next year giant specs more bombers and fox the rock sh!t.
But very bottom line for what this bike is I can't think of any other bike in this price range that even comes close.
And I got mine a cost from Giant!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Stuchbery
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, SA, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ando's at belair | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bernie Jones Cycles | | Strengths: | Light weight for a freeride type bike, good components for the price, good shocks, adjustability and doesn't bob much when seated | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Norco VPS Atomik and 2001 Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | it was actually the AC3 (go to the Australian giant website and check it out) | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike if you are a beginer rider because it can do anything xc to freeride, myself, i'm getting the ac1 its a bit more hardcore which is what i want. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pRoFrEeRiDeR
a Downhiller
from oZ
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -The Frame
-The Components | | Weaknesses: | -The rear shock
-New Hayes Comp levers should be metal not plastic. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Grand Marquis, Iron Horse SGS, Giant Warp's | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for some cheap platforms. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is sick. It rides real well and is very smooth. The rear shock on mine stuffed up but lm still very happy with the bike. It rides so much smoother than my old bike. The brakes work excellantly and the suspension seems to be good. The front forx havent messed up like earlier models either. SICK bike go buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Topher
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Laurel Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Country Sports | | Strengths: | Strong, Psylo W/U-Turn is great, Hayes 8" Disks stop on a dime and modulate well, The ride is plush but it still climbs well. I have no complaints accept for the weight. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, the 2.5 take a lot to get moving. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Race Face Bash Guard, 34t ring, ODI Lock Jaw Grips,Shimano PD-M646 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Since the first day I saw it in the catalogue at the LBS I wanted one. I just bought a Giant XTC NRS 2 last year and found that my riding style fits the AC 2 better. I’m not a full on “Freerider”, but I like to hit some drops and the local dual slalom/downhill course. Most of the time I’m doing XC. Around here the trails can get pretty extreme though. It was amazing going to the 3.75” of the NRS to the plush 6” of the AC2. It feels like your riding a dirt bike. I’ve only been out on the bike a few times, but I like what I see so far. It climbs surprisingly well when the rear suspension is set at 6”. If I were going to do an all day ride I would switch it to 4.5”. The 5.15” setting also works great for climbing. The only complaint I have is it feels heavy. I don’t know if it is the bike itself or the fact that it has 2.5” tires. It seems like I am pedaling through molasses. I’m going to try an older, lighter set of 2.35” tires I have laying around and see it this makes a difference. If not, I’ll just have to get into better shape. Descending is a dream. When the bike is set to 6” I find myself aiming for the big stuff to see how the bike handles it. I can see myself getting over my head. When I do, I have the 8” Hayes hydraulic breaks to help slow me down. These things are powerful. The feel so much smoother than my Avid’s were on my NRS. The bike is very confidence inspiring. I’ve done a couple 4’ drops without any problems. I’m sure it can handle anything I will try with it. I would highly recommend this bike to just about anyone. For the price you pay for the amount of bike you get, I don’t see how you can go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cootha (all) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | NRG Cycles | | Strengths: | All. Nothing is faultless that i can see... The 20 mil axel ROCKS. The Psylo's are sweet (SL's) and the Hayes are sooooo massive. Has a very nice riding feel and it lets you do the longest manuals ever. The frame sports a usual rear section rather than those crooked chainstays seen in the pic above. I love this bike and it will be my steed for many years to come. | | Weaknesses: | The QR levers on the front 20 mil. axel was a little loose and caused the disc to ping when i turned. After a little tigntening it worked perfectly. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC1 ('01), Giant AC3 ('02), Specialized BigHit Comp ('01), Specialized Hardrock ('00) [THe Hardrock isn't exactly similar...oh well it has wheels] | | Bike Setup: | Stock but with Psylo SL's... the climb-it control is the best thing ever. Dont worry about the nifty U-Turn. Oh yeah THe Setup is AUSTRALIAN... for details check the Australian branch of the giant site. | | Bottom Line: | A Fabulous Bike with no flaws and will bring you billions of hours of sheer pleasure. It has a black Pro Deluxe shock and black spokes (white 'rocker bar' tho.), the meanest blackest bike ever. sprints like a hardtail with compression bumped up on SIX INCHES!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxford Falls/Red Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1560.00 | | Purchased At: | Supreme Cycles, Narrabeen | | Strengths: | Rock Shox rear shock
Tires Good and grippy for trail riding
Strong Rims
Adjustable front travel
Cranks
Brakes (8" Hayes Mag HFX Hydro)
| | Weaknesses: | Soft Front Spring
Lots of nuts and screws for various pieces were lose (no big thing)
| | Similar Products Used: | NRS 2, Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | Stock except platforms | | Bottom Line: | Really good value for the spec and the disk brakes rule. A solid perform on the trail and funny just riding round the streets on. Fornt forks history has been poor soon see how this one turns out. Great fun to ride. Got a good price from the shop which pushes the rating up from four to five.
Good entry level down hiller or trail bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Adjustable suspension, component spec-8" Hayes Hydro, Prodigy DH crankset, Rock Shox rear shock, 36-hole Rhyno Lite wheelset. | | Weaknesses: | Might be the Rock Shox Psylo-Time will tell on that one. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky,K2 Disco Monkey,Specialized Big Hit Comp, Rocky Mountain Edge | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Platform Pedals | | Bottom Line: | I just got the bike and have had the opportunity to ride on both street and trails. On the street, the bike works well on the six inch travel setting. It soaks up bumps and stairgap lands without protest. The front springs are too soft for harsh landings and will be upgraded to firmer springs soon. The front fork feels stiff and smooth and will hopefully hold up better than previous Rock Shox. On the trails I set the travel to the five inch setting and the bike worked like a dream. It handles really well and encourages the rider to pick new creative lines. I couldn't keep myself from hunting out every little jump and dropoff. This bike just kicks a$$ on tough terrain. Basically, I like the bike so far and will repost after I have some serious miles on it to see if it holds up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Richards
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3330.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Superstore | | Strengths: | 2002 psylo xc's are awsome - even better than the 2001 models, tires are very grippy and phat/fat. raceface cranks and bottom braket are well known for their strength and as i have had this bike for a week or 2 I have only just started doing +- 5 foot drops (I recon the bike can take at least six), seat is comfy, discies are sick and beat the sh*t out of v brakes any day (after about 30 stops)...and just about everything is a strength for this bike and it is also build bloody strong. | | Weaknesses: | none found yet...(could have used a stronger rim (SMO), not sure how strong the sun rynos are, havent buckeled them yet.) | | Similar Products Used: | Many but none similar besides the previous models. | | Bike Setup: | at the mo havent changed anything except the pedals (now primos) and a better chain. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a very good buy and is VERY good value for money. I bought it because it is for free riding, which is what I do most. This means it is strong enough to use in DH and also convertable (by changing compression, seat hight etc..) to XC mode. It is an alrounder and I think it is well worth the money, also comes with an awsome chain device.
The price I paid was $3330 (AUS) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam veronesi
a Downhiller
from australia
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | windsor cycles | | Strengths: | excellent downhill capability | | Weaknesses: | the Rock Shox Physlos are quite weak for the type of bike that Giant are trying to achive | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC NRS2 | | Bike Setup: | full downhill | | Bottom Line: | good bike, change the front forks to boxxers, and the tyres don't grip, change to intense tyres
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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