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Submitted by
Rod C.
a Racer
from Locust Valley, NY
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | No Bob. Great Specs. Massive value. Made me a better climber and all around rider. | | Weaknesses: | Ghost Shifting (until you realize how to eliminate it)
Python tires suck! The tubeless version flat easily. | | Similar Products Used: | DiamondBack Carbon Fiber Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Egg Beatters, Monkey Lite Carbon, Mavic CrossMax Tubeless, IRC Serac tubeless tires, Thompson seatpost, Fizik Alante saddle | | Bottom Line: | Two things:
End ghost shifting by taking the rear deraliur cable out of the couplings that are on the seatstay. Instead of securing the cable in the couplings, use zip ties to secure it along the seatstay. I tried everything before learning of this solution. It's the only thing that worked at the cost is a few pennies for two zip ties!
Second Problem is the Python tires. I'm 147 pounds and ride light. I used to run Kenda Karisma tires and tube setup at 38 psi on my previous bike and never flated.
With the tubeless setup, running both Pythons and Comp S tubeless tires, I had at least 15 flats due to sidewall cuts in six months.
I switched to IRC Seracs and Kenda Karisma's (both tubeless)and have had only two flats (both from thorns) in 15 months.
Everything else about the bike is great. So happy with Giant that I bought a TCR 2 road bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Tracy, CA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Pleasanton Bicycles, CA | | Strengths: | This is a follow-up status
No BOB, Good Components, disk Brakes, Light ~27lbs
Loves to climb
Tires last a long time and generally a good all around tire - does not lose a lot of pressure and has never given me any flats
| | Weaknesses: |
1) Rear cassette can come loose from axle bolt loosening out. When this happens it causes Rim to flex. You can tell when you put 2.1 tires because they will rub frame, also can tell when peddling out of the seat because
the rear feels like some thing is loose. Its an easy fix, but its comes loose over 200-300miles. I use to think this was rim flex but it isn’t! Easiest way
to check is to grab rear cassette with hand and see if there is any play when
pulling cassette in and out, is so the axle bolt next to cassette needs to be tighten a little.
2) Chain jump/Ghost shift - at first, can be fixed
Fix by stretching cable-pull on it to quicken the stretch.
Once the cable is done stretching the problem goes away.
Note, all new bikes go through this phase till the cable
is stretched!
Part of my chain jump was due to a broken tooth on the smallest cog that I never noticed till I cleaned the bike!
Once replaced cog, the chain jump on that cog stopped.
3) Chain slap on bottom rail
Remove 2 links so that chain does not hit bottom rail
on smallest cog, then add a lizard skin - stops the problem and helps reduce the Ghost shifting.
4) Pythons generally good on everything but real loose terrain, can not peddle over wet roots or rocks, will just spin, so you have to go over those types of obstacles with momentum. Replace rear with a IRC SERAC and everything is perfect!. IRC SERAC has tons of traction. I leave the Python on the front because it rolls fast and last for ever- no flats in over 1yr and the tread looks new still.
5) After 700 miles you will notice that the cables
will rub the paint down! have to put those round
sticky felt stuff on cable and will stop the paint
removal
| | Bike Setup: | 178lb rider
1" rise Bars from LP. I had Answers but they broke easily in a crash and had no flex what so ever. The LP has a better warranty, has lasted through many crashes, can handle bar ends, and has way more damping characteristics than Answer!
Lizard skin on bottom rail
11.3mm front fork sag 1.75 turns out rebound- best setting
2mm Rear shock sag / 2.75 turns in Rebound - stops the back end from kicking and improves the plush-ness over small bumps - a must!
8mm shorter TiTec stem - I am only 5'8.5" so do not want to be bent over so much
35psi rear tire pressure, 33psi front tire pressure
Stan’s NoTubes Liquid Latex - Works great! No flats yet!
Quick adjust seat post clamp for those long, steap down hills, can lower the seat w/o any effort or tools
Hutchinson front tire, IRC SERAC rear – Best combo!
LP braid Jr bar ends
2 links taken out of chain – to minimize chair rub/slap/skip
| | Bottom Line: | -Love the bike! it climbs without effort.
-Plan to purchase another for my wife
-Its light – 27lbs due to disk brakes
-Fork, shock, tires all hold air pressures.
Tires might loose a little till you put in the Stan's goo
-Once the cable finished stretching & remove 2 chain links; the ghost shifting will end.
-Python tires roll very fast, do not flat or puncture easy, tread last for 1.5-2yrs
would prefer a back tire with a little bit more knob
but all tire reviews for Tubeless are horrible except for SERAC.
Michelin Comp S UST Tubeless & IRC have similar tread patterns that look a bit more aggressive and would be an alternative. I am using the IRC SERAC and the
Tire has plenty of grip - I read that the IRC works well but very difficult to put on.
I let the tire sit in the sun, and lube the bead with grease and had no problems putting it on. Also the Hayes disk brakes are the easiest to service out of all brands. Down load the instructions from Hayes web sit. I use a syringe from the pet store and a tube from the HW store – total of $4 for the parts.
So only major stock weakness is rear tire, and chain skip due to cable stretching.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Belmont, CA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skegg's Point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Connection, Palo Alto | | Strengths: | Awesome climber - no bob on the uphills and with a quick twist on the rebound adjust it descends great - very smooth and the bike holds a line well. | | Weaknesses: | Giant's choice of tires could have been better. The tread pattern of the Python's leaves a lot of room for improvement. On loose trails it loses traction easily. Changed it immediately after my first ride. The geometry of the bike takes a little getting used to compared to other bikes. I'm 6'2" tall and I noticed that on my 20.5" ride that the front end seems to pop up no matter how I position my seat and stance over the bike on climbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for upgraded XT shifters and front derailer. Picked em' cheap on ebay to round out the XT rear drive! | | Bottom Line: | Picking this bike up at the end of the season saved me some bucks but even if I had payed the full price this would have been the best money spent! I am totally psyched by this bike. The Superlight was a more plush ride but it would have also cost a lot more with the same component set up so in my mind this was a better choice! If you want to maximize your value vs. quality this should be the bike of choice!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert wooldridge
a Cross Country Rider
from temecula
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | daily ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | sun bike milpitas | | Strengths: | THIS BIKE IS A SCREAMER. climbs like a hardtail light,very fast,stops on a dime.tires are great all around,sand,mud,rocks.shoxs are also very fore giving. front air shox works great under any condition. back shox responds exelent. love the diskbrakes. | | Weaknesses: | had problem with front air shox sent back to rox shox they fixed it. going strong. | | Bike Setup: | full xt. monkey lite bars. carbon fiber stem. | | Bottom Line: | if you got the cash your in for a blast. this bike will do everthing you want it to do and more. this thing is a rocket | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Tracy, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Pleasanton Bicycles, CA | | Strengths: | No BOB, Good Components, disk Brakes, Light ~27lbs
Loves to climb
Tires last a long time and generally a good all around tire - does not lose a lot of pressure and has never given me any flats | | Weaknesses: | 1) Rims flex if you are >175lbs. You can only tell when you put 2.1 tires(Panaracer's) because they will rub frame! Have to stay with 2.0 tires with the stock rims. Or put Crossmax wheelset so that you can use 2.1 size tires.
2) Chain jump/Ghost shift - at first, can be fixed
Fix by streching cable-pull on it to quicken the stretch.
Once the cable is done streching the problem goes away.
Note, all new bikes go through this phase till the cable
is stretched!
Part of my chain jump was due to a broken tooth on the smallest cog that I never noticed till I cleaned the bike!
Once replaced cog, the chain jump on that cog stopped.
3) Chain slap on bottom rail
Remove 2 links so that chain does not hit bottom rail
on smallest cog, then add a lizard skin - stops the problem and helps reduce the Ghost shifting.
3) Seat is kinda hard. But could be due to me not using
shorts with cushion.
4) Pythons generally good on everything but can not peddle over wet roots or rocks, will just spin, so you have to go over those types of obsticles with momemtum.
5. After 700 miles you will notice that the cables
will rub the paint down! have to put those round
sticky felt stuff on cable and will stop the paint
removal
| | Bike Setup: | 178lb rider
1" rise Hell Bent Bars from TiTec
Lizard skin on bottom rail
12mm front fork sag 1.75 turns out rebound- best setting after trying 8mm-17mm
2mm Rear shock sag / 2.75 turns in Rebound - stops the back end from kicking and improves the plushness over small bumps - a must!
8mm shorter TiTec stem - I am only 5'8.5" so do not want to be bent over so much
37psi tire pressure
Stan’s NoTubes Liquid Latex - Works great! No flats yet!
Quick adjust seat post clamp for those long, steap down hills, can lower the seat w/o any effort or tools
Have on order the remote fork lock out. | | Bottom Line: | -Love the bike! it climbs without effort.
-Plan to purchase another for my wife
-Its light
-Fork, shock, tires all hold air pressures.
Tires might loose a little till you put in the Stan's goo
-Once the cable finished stretching & remove 2 chain links; the gost shifting will end.
-Python tires roll very fast, do not flat or puncture easy
would preffer a back tire with a little bit more knob
but all tire reveiew for Tubelss are horible. So will
stay with Python's till something better come a long.
Michelin® Comp S UST Tubeless & IRC have similar tred patterns that look a bit more agressive and would be an alternative. I read that the IRC works well but give a slight harsh ride due to harder carcass and very difficult to put on. Kenda Kharisma UST Tubeless rear tire looks like a good tred that would still roll fast- gets good review but is expensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Abbiss
a Cross Country Rider
from WGTN NZ
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Leaping Lizard | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Penny Farthings | | Strengths: | This Bike is awesome, I had my reservations after riding a top Rocky Mt hardtail for years. I thought the uphill speed would be compromised to the extent of negating the downhill advantage. How wrong I was! I am 190 lbs and a fairly aggressive (ex MX) rider. I ride all single track and generally fairly technical. This bike has excelled in all terain in my area including rocky up and down, trees and roots up and down and a mixture of fast and slow. The geometry is fast enough for tight single track slalom but stable enough for fire road blasts. The suspension once set up to weight (I ride with the rear with no sag)is a beautiful thing, combined with the discs I am now jumping the last stutter bumps, roots etc into corners and then slamming, not possible on my old hardtail. I am having more FUN than ever and riding a bit quicker with less fatigue. Enough Said I think!!! | | Weaknesses: | The rear shifting is a bit flighty (see all the previous reports re ghost shifting) but I have found that if I ride properly and don't try to crunch down gears under serious pedal load the gears change fine. If I do change underload they tend to ghost. I don't perceive this as a problem, just a lesson in correct riding technique! Discs tend to bind a wee bit in the mud but that I guess should be expected as crap fils up the callipers. Otherwise no weaknesses surfaced as yet. I have only riden 20hr+ and expect things may loosen up a bit soon!! | | Similar Products Used: | FSR specialised tested | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for x-county weekend warriors that like a bit of speed. Good enough to race up to sport level although a bit heavy for the real serious stuff (by a NRS air!)I am in love and look forward to every ride. If you are looking, take one for a test, you owe yourself that much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth - Australia
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Front end is still amazing. Have not had to adjust anything and feels planted. Brakes are strong. Rear suspension a great compromise. Mavic rims are unbreakable(I've tried). Atac pedals are quick/strong and don't care how much mud they fill up with. Frame is still rigid. | | Weaknesses: | Still going through a drive train every 2-3 months, and have gone to steel chain rings,sram 7 cassette, and 105 for my road wheelset, for longevity. Rear Formula hub is shocking shocking shockingly cheap, bad, rubbish!! It failed three times in warranty & then one month out of warranty it failed again and Giant told me to go jump! Now replaced with XT with the bike shop pitching in - Thanks Cyclerama!! Saddle is hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing for any length of time | | Bike Setup: | All XT shifters, deraileurs, and now rear hub. Riser bar. Specialised "Enduro" tyres. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update on a review I did after having the bike for a short time. A bit more knowledge before buying would have gone a long way and I would have replaced all the cheapy bits with aftermarket & saved myself a long walk and some bucks. However I have now done about 11,000km and I love it. It is now set it up properly and can go just about anywhere. Might not be the fastest but it will get there. If it wasn't for Giant giving me every reason not to buy another one, I would. Sorry Giant but your warranty policies suck! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edgar Poe
a Racer
from Castro Valley
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | secret singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | eden-my local | | Strengths: | once dialed, she shreds in every situation imaginable.
she has never once talked back to me. | | Weaknesses: | hutchinson tires can suck in some wet conditions, but work well generally. | | Similar Products Used: | countless hardtails of every material but metal matrix and borylium | | Bike Setup: | large xtr cranks. easton carbon bar. deore front deraileur. | | Bottom Line: | i am unbelievably happy with this bike. from the disc brakes, to the consistant performance from both shocks, this young lady was worth every penny i paid for her. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon Baker
a Racer
from ashburnham Ma
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | mid state/ leominster state forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1376.00 | | Purchased At: | O'neils bike shop | | Strengths: | Great handlin, no bobbing, tube-less tyrs | | Weaknesses: | deore frt. derailer
Not the plushest ride if set-up for xc racing use(then again none are) | | Similar Products Used: | sugar, fuel | | Bike Setup: | tubeless wild. grippers to save weight after hutchinsons wore out, bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great deal and a great no-hassle xc ride. You can ride it hard and put it away wet. It won't fail and can easily upgraded to be an even better racer/ trailbike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Weekend Warrior
from Northridge, CA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Doctor | | Strengths: | Hayes disc brakes rock! | | Weaknesses: | Tubeless tires are killing me... | | Similar Products Used: | First bike - just started biking Aug '02 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike a lot. There is no apparent bob when climbing, and it's fast climber. The brakes clamp up tight, and that's one thing I have to get use to. Overall, for a first bike, and compared to other friends' bikes, I really enjoy my ride.
One more thing - tubeless tires are killing me. I keep on punturing those suckers. My friends and I will go through similar terrain, and sometimes there will be some thorny stuff on the trail that will stick to the tires, but the tubed folks will be fine while I'll be there patching the $H!T up! Oh well, I still think it's a killer bike.
DISCLAIMER: I'm just beginning, and I know I have a lot to learn. Plus, I don't ride with any experienced riders, and the group I ride with is just having fun trying to figure this whole sport out. Also, I apologize for not using any technical biking terms. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MC
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, MS
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Womble | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Weight, No Bob, good stock components(except F Derail), Tubeless, suspension tuning | | Weaknesses: | Front Derail | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great climber...very nearly like a hardtail. Takes some time to get suspension tuned but worth it! No mechanical problems at all. Would have preferred a little better stock front deraileur. A little sceptical about tubeless but they have been great...can run much lower pressure for better grip and feel. Highly recommend this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Chilcote
a
from Cary, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | All Star Bikes | | Strengths: | (Already Covered in Detail) | | Weaknesses: | Integrated headset. What have bike manufacturers been smoking lately? Have your shop the standard headset adapters and put in a King. | | Similar Products Used: | Looked at Fuel and Sugar. | | Bottom Line: | Just a follow-on note for those who have been having the ghost-shifting problem. Please refer to the News posting for 01/03 on www.angryasian.com.
According to this News posting, the problem with ghost shifting is due to the fact that the 2002 NRS frame has a small amount of flex in the right seatstay during hard pedaling uphill. Since the rear derailleur cable is routed through stops at either end of this seatstay, and it takes a very small amount of cable motion to shift Shimano 9-speed SIS, this allows ghost shifting.
The recommended fix is to remove the rear derailleur cable from the stops in the seatstay, and use a single piece of cable housing starting from the end of the top tube all the way to the rear derailleur. Attach the cable housing to the seat stay using zip ties.
Just FYI. Apologies for making this a review, but it seemed like the most general location here.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john bakke
a Cross Country Rider
from siloam springs
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | california 59 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | lewis and clark outfitters | | Strengths: | This bike is super fast and climbs super solid. Most of the components are great. The yellow paint job also adds a litte flare. | | Weaknesses: | It took me and my shop an entire month of figureing out why it would ghost shift like all hell on steep climbs. It was not the bottom bracket or either of the derailers. Turns out it was the terrible shimano chain which only lasted about 150 miles. The tires are definately not intended for anything other than solid conditions. This is my first set of tubeless and they are great as long as im running a tubeless sealant to keep the thorns out. Im guaranteed a thorn flat per ride without it. LX has got to go. This is still a great bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 90
specialized fsr comp | | Bike Setup: | whipperman conexx chain
lp carbon barends
everything else is stock but not for much longer. Old xtr front and back will make this bike top notch. New xtr if you can afford it. | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike. Im sure in 03 many of the problem have been resolved with the now infamouse ghost shifftin problem. I think was something to do with the wrong bottom bracket on the ealier models. Find a good set of wet conditions tires if you need, swap out the LX in the front and this baby will keep you smiling all day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Geneva, WI
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel and Sprocket | | Strengths: | Light frame
Front Fork (SID SL)
Hayes Brakes
Awesome looks! (people approach me asking about the bike all the time - it's an ego trip) | | Weaknesses: | Rear Rock Shox Shock loses air in negative chamber
Race Face Bottom Bracket shot after 6 months of riding
Tires are terrible in wet and mud
Ghost Shifting
| | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | SPD Pedals
Serfas Seat
Serfas Grips
HellBent Handle Bars (Well worth the money) | | Bottom Line: | Overall I love this bike. I can conquer hills I could only get half way up before with my hardtail. I have also increased my average speed by 1.5 mph around my favorite single track.
Like many others I am dissapointed with some of the components: Namely the Rock Shox rear shock losing air in the negative chamber and the poor quality Race Face Bottom Bracket. These are currently being fixed by the great techs at my LBS. They are also working on the ghost shifting corrections suggested by the reviewers below.
Overall I love this bike. I simply feel Giant should have placed some higher quality components on a $2000 + bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stinky Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | you name em, I love em | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Durable Frame
Strong Components
Light
Great in all conditions - hard pack, mud, sand, snow, water, rocks, fast downhill, grinding uphill.
The bike is better than I am. | | Weaknesses: | Drivetrain goes out of allignment easily
SID's front shock died.
Chainsuck issues
Bottom Bracket | | Similar Products Used: | Superlight, S-Works | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XTR rear der, XT front der, XT shift pods, Wildgripper Tubeless in back. | | Bottom Line: | **FINAL REVIEW**
I have a love-hate relationship with my bike. When all is working as it should, I love it. Thankfully, this is the way it is most of the time. When it is not working as it should, and this happens enough to be annoying, I hate it. BIGGEST ISSUES -
DRIVETRAIN-GHOST SHIFITING - Just when I think I have this problem licked, it comes back at the worst times. I can spend an hour with the bike on the rack adjusting it so the drivetrain is perfect, but when I get on the trail, boom, it is not the same. Removing a link in the chain really helped, but I think it is a design flaw on Giant's part. Hopefully it will be fixed in future models.
SID FORK DIED RECENTLY - I ride hard, several days a week, all year round, but a fork should not die in less than a year. The SID lost its ability to rebound, and bottomed out badly. The fork went back to Rock Shox, and after a giant pain in the ass dealing with the bike shop and the manufacturer that cost me about a month of prime riding time, I got a replacement from Rock Shox. They did the right thing and I am really happy about it.
BOTTOM BRACKET - Developed a great deal of play after 6 months and was replaced. Again, this should not happen on a 6 month old bike that is well maintained.
WHAT DID I LIKE?
HAYES BRAKES - They just plain kick ass! They worked as advertised. Once you learn to bleed them without making a mess, and you learn to reseat the pistons when necessary, they are easy brakes to deal with. Much better than any non-disk brake.
UST SYSTEM - The Mavic Rims, XT Hubs, and Hutch Pythons were great. I still have my front tire (after a hard year of riding and a few races, including a 24 Hour funfest at Snowshoe. I replaced the rear after the sidewall ripped with a Wildgripper, and I have found that the tire is also excellent. Very good in loose conditions.
SUSPENSION SYSTEM - At first, I was jealous of my friends with their PLUSH riding bikes, but I soon became very attached to the ride of the NRS. I set it up so that it is slightly plusher than is reccomended, but it still retains most of its no-bob characteristics. I can clime just about anything using any line I please (or any line I am forced into). I can haul down the biggest hills without worrying about ruts in the trail. I can launch over nice jumps without fear. I can take just about any log pile in the woods.
THE BOTTOM LINE - When everthing is running well, you can't beat the bike. It is a great value and a whole lot of fun to ride. The pesky annoyances will cost only one chili.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Team Shu
a
from Aptos, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | This is another (and probably final) follow-up from earlier reviews to finalize my evaluation of the bike. I have had the bike for about nine months now and have put on almost 700 miles. My original concerns were all fairly minor but irritating issues. The “Red Rum” that came out of the neg. chamber of the fork when making air adjustments has stopped. It may return after maintenance but it only lasted for the first few months (and the fork still seems to perform as well as it always has). I did have some ghost shifting problems during climbs when the bike was brand new, but as stated earlier the problem was resolved with some fine-tuning of the derailleur cable at the shifter and has not been experienced since.
Maintenance does not seem to be much of an issue for a full suspension bike either, other than the usual items that are done on most/all bikes anyway. I do choose to re-set the air in the shock/fork/tires before each ride just ensure consistency. A five minute task, no big deal, worth the time and I have had zero problems (other than the “Red Rum” issue) with the RockShox suspension parts since day one. Even the Hays brakes have stayed quiet. All you need to do is re-center the caliper once in a while, a two minute job. The only thing to watch out for is when you clean your bike or ride in the wet you HAVE to spray all of the suspension hinge points with a liberal dose of WD-40 (for those that don’t know, the WD stands for “Water Displacement”) followed up later with some Tri-Flow, Liquid Wrench etc. or you will wind up with a wicked squeak that will absolutely wreck you rides.
In a nut shell I do not regret my choice of the NRS one bit. I never find myself yearning for any other bike I see out on the trails and I still get excited every time I’m able to get out and ride. Worth every penny! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | 1. No bob design
2. Tubeless tires
3. Hayes disc brakes
4. SID shock
5. Great handleing up and down hills
6. Relatively light weight for a bike with discs | | Weaknesses: | 1. Chain slap (get a good ole' lizard skin)
2. Deore front derailleur (functions OK...I will replace mine soon)
3. Hutchison tires (trend is fine for dry hard packed trail, but needs to be more agressive design)
4. Some problems with ghost shifting, but have resolved that issue with regular tune-ups. Stay on top for your maintance! | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | As compared to other bikes in this price range you get mucho bango for your dollar. I had some problems with chain suck on the first few rides, I tried adjusting the derailleurs but discovered that my small chainring was bent. Did I bend it or was it from manufacturing? I don't know...I just replaced it and chain suck vanished. But with a great bike comes great responsibility, you really need to clean the drive train after messy rides and keep it tuned! I love the ride you get from this bike. You will float over rough terrain and scream up and down hills. Fear not in purchasing this bike, there are no truely perfect bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Elkhorn, WI USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel and Sprocket | | Strengths: | Fast (Even with a 245lb guy on it)!
Grips corners
Climbs like a turbo-charged goat
Rides like a Cadillac (even in the rough stuff)
Looks like a million bucks
Handles like a demon | | Weaknesses: | Chain slap (get a lizard skin to fix)
Grips offer no cushion (get replacement grips) | | Similar Products Used: | Looked at Sugar 3+, Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Lizard Skins,Serfas seat, Serfas grips | | Bottom Line: | I have researched getting a full-suspension bike for the past year. My wife finally gave me the green light last Saturday. I was out of the house with money in hand within an hour. I ride the John Muir trails in Southeastern Wisconsin (Intermediate - Expert single track). This bike is amazing! It has the speed of a Ferrari with the comfort of a Cadillac, even with a big guy like me on it. I don't buy that this bike is not cut out for guys of 200+lbs! I have conquered hills that I could not get up with my hard tail! I picked up the bike as a demo for $1,400. The bike is worth every penny of full retail. If you are researching other bikes, stop now and go out and get the NRS1 you will not regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Abington, PA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fairmount Park System, Philadelphia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Guy's Bicycles, Philadelphia | | Strengths: | -light, fast, feels good.
-climbs so well! no pedal bob.
-tubeless is amazing. no flats yet. | | Weaknesses: | -Ideal for lighter riders, 120-190lbs.
-Time Alium's are hard pedals to learn on.
-Pythons are neither racing nor high traction tires.
-Cables stretch first month; re-tune rear derailler. | | Bike Setup: | stock, replaced Deore front derailler with XT, added Lizard Skins fork boots. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is faster than my car! Looks unbelievably sexy. Handles and climbs very well. Also consider the new 2003 Giant VT... it has more travel but climbs just as well as NRS. http://www.giant-bicycles.com
FRAME: 27lbs built. has only a little flex and rear suspension blots out larger bumps to increase your chances of having kids. Not as plush as Specialized FSR or Epic... takes the edge off things nicely but sacrifices plush for weight.
SID SL: put on lizard skin fork boots to reduce maintainance. Set negative chamber higher for a more active, smoother ride. (2003 NRS1 has the sweet SID Team w/remote lockout)
DRIVETRAIN: Performs sooo well. cables will stretch during first month causing ghost shifts. Re-tune rear derailler to fix. Replace Deore front derailler!! (2003 NRS1 comes with LX front derailler)
DISC BRAKES: Hayes hydraulic are very reponsive in any weather. Don't touch the rotors with bare skin.
TIRES: tubeless is amazing. Get Hutchinson Tubeless Patch Kit. Pythons are all-around tires, "okay" but not really good at racing or traction. Panaracer Fire XC are better tires but heavier.
PEDALS: Time Aliums are difficult to learn clipping and unclipping. Many crashes. (2003 NRS1 wisely uses Shimano M505)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport News, VA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any thing at Snowshoe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Weight for full susp., no bob, climbs like a bat out o' hell, brakes, pretty much everything about it. | | Weaknesses: | Not to happy with the Python tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Mano Mano, Gaint AC1, | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than Eggbeaters. | | Bottom Line: | This is my second reveiw of this bike with alot of more miles on it and a few races with it. This bike just simply kicks you know what. I don't even ever ride my hardtail any more, even on rail trails. I can't say enough good things about it, still not getting any real ghost shifting problems that other people talk about, haven't had to do anything with brakes or shocks other than clean and regular maintaince. The tires are the only thing that I have anything bad to say about it (pythons)but I'll just replace them once they are worn out. They have lost air a number of times with sidewall impact. I'm sure next years will be even better. I would definatly buy this bike again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Frederick Md USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Hills Park Germantown MD. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frederick Schwinn Frederick MD. | | Strengths: | Responsive, Light weight (27lbs), good components | | Weaknesses: | The thin walled alluminum scared me with the horror stories about bike racks creasing the frame tubes but, i have had no problems and feel its worth it's "lack of weight" in gold! | | Similar Products Used: | Older steel GT with NO suspension! still a great hard tail bike until this one! | | Bike Setup: | Standard with the exception of Bontager Bar Ends, an xt front derailler, s-ram chain upgrade, and a Shimano flight-deck computer. | | Bottom Line: | First time in ten years for me to get "back on the horse" and i wanted full-suspension with disk brakes and with a reasonable component group. I ride cross-country although, we jump a few minor obstacles through the course, and find lots of rocks, streams and roots ... it's a "damm good ride". It takes a lot of beating so you do not have too. We ride flat out for one hour (about 8.5 mile) and the bike has always performed well. also, ... i ended up with XT hubs although not in the brochure (nice surprise!) i am sure NRS 2003s will be even better (NRS1 owner because NRS2s were out of stock!) ... Buy this bike is you like XC riding if you want to down hill or extreme concider the AC of DH Giants. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Pegram
a Cross Country Rider
from long Beach, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Moro | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Jones Bikes - Long Beach | | Strengths: | Climbing, Climbing, Climbing. Technical Downhills | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found one yet. | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS 1 | | Bottom Line: | The bike climbs like a Hard Tail. The light weight of this bike makes it dance uphill, and with the lockout SID Fork upfront powering through the steep sections is no problem. Very responsive in single track and technical sections with enough travel to absord the bigger hits. The Hydraulic Hayes Disc's are outstanding. FOr the money a can't miss bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martijn van der Heiden
a Cross Country Rider
from Den Haag, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Houffalize (Belgium) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Strengths: | Rear suspension design, wheels/tires, price/quality! | | Weaknesses: | Stifness of front fork (SID XC), standard saddle and seatpost, modulation of brakes. RaceFace Prodigy crack set. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel, GF Sugar 3, various hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 2001 European model (Mount Snow), Rock Shox SID XC front and rear, Fizik Nisene saddle | | Bottom Line: | An absolute great bike for the money! Incredible up- and downhill performance, great tracktion, no bobbing at all. One of the best all rounders available. In this setup a bit too heavy for XC racing but the perfect bike for large (40-120 kilometers) all day trips. Bought it for XC Marathons in the Alps. I am originally a serious road racer but this bike makes me love the brown stuff. The geometry of the bike is very relaxed (=upright) for a XC bike, not nervous at all. I like to sit deep or stretched and have removed all the spacers in the steering and I now have a perfect fit; comfortable enough for all day riding but deep enough to be able to apply the power to the rear wheel. Had small niggles with the right brake lever but that problem was easily solved. Modulation of brakes requiers some getting used to but brakes give awesome stopping power. Have not had a flat tyre in 10 months!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim From Olympia
a Cross Country Rider
from PNW
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Value, rear supsension design | | Weaknesses: | Rock Shox SID fork, ghost shifting | | Similar Products Used: | Pro Flex 857 | | Bike Setup: | Stock+: 2003' Marathon SL 105, Easton Carbon Monkey riser bars , Flite saddle, XTR 8spd cass., 8spd XT pods, Sachs 8spd chain, Panaracer Fire XC tubeless tires, Race Face grips | | Bottom Line: | For pedaling efficiency and value there is no better bike.
Rock Shox SID forks suck-suck-suck for reliability unless you are sponcered and get your for rebuilt after every ride/race, Marathon or Black. For the ghost shifting do this: lengthen the rear d. cable at the seat post 2" and keep the housings fresh and adjusted properly. Tubeless is the way to go, don't listen to the winers! That is it, now get off the net and go ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Racer
from co.
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great climbing, sprinting, all-around ride | | Weaknesses: | not sure yet, may have just created one | | Bottom Line: | I have rated this bike before and I have had no problems with it, only components. I am 6 ft 200 pounds and like to muscle the bike. My first bike problem turned out to be a cracked XT drive side crank arm. It was replaced with another XT crank arm that cracked on the practice day at the 24 hours of Moab. I replaced the cranks with Raceface cranks that came with the drive side spacer. Immediately I discovered the feared "Ghost" shifting. In the space of an hour my bike had never had a shifting problem, to gears jumping all over the place. Shimano tech looked at the bike and made sure all was adjusted well, chain and casset was less than a month old. I can't explain what has developed in my bike, but it sure seems to coincide with replacing my cranks. It may be spacer related or stiffer crank related I am not sure, but it aint going away. I would be interested if people having problems with shifting are running bb with spacers or not. Or maybe stiffer cranks put more torque on the frame. any feedback would be welcomed.
Love the bike, hate the new problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Billings, MT
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Chalet Sports, Bozeman | | Strengths: | Climbing, descending, component specs, brakes, price, and much more (too much to list) | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great FS bike for your money. I got mine on an end of the year sale and saved a bundle. I also had a ghost shifting problem, but it was just cable stretch (thankfully after what I read in other reviews). Other than that, I have had no problems. Very happy with this puchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Canmore, Alberta
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Nordic Center | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebound | | Strengths: | Climbing and descending. Fast. Great suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Ghost Shifting. I have tried everthing to get this fixed. I am continually adjusting the cable. Can anyone help? Also have blown out a formula hub and free wheel. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel. | | Bike Setup: | Cross Max Wheels. Onyx 1.5 inch riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. Climbs better than my hardtail especially on technical climbs. Its relatively light and handles great in all types of terrain. The ghost shifting is a pain in the ass. I will get 2 weeks of riding (20 hours) then its starts. I have to take into the shop and have it adjusted. Does anyone know the answer to this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Claude Piche
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Once properly tuned, the rear suspension (NRS) is great for Xcountry riding. There is minimal bob, even on steep climbs. I think the weight (~25 lbs?) is excellent for a FS bike and the bike handles extremely well. | | Weaknesses: | GHOST SHIFTING!!!! This has been a huge problem for me with this bike. As soon as I start to climb med-difficult hills, the ghost shifting begins. It got to the point where the only gear I could use on the cassette was the easiest gear. I brought the bike back to the LBS 7 or 8 times and they tried everything ... tightening up the hub (it came loose a few times), replaced the cassette, replaced the entire back wheel, new cables, tune-ups ... and the GHOST shifting was still there. My LBS spoke with Giant about the bike and apparently they acknowledged ghost shifting was problem for larger riders who pedal hard. Well, I'm only 5'9" and weigh ~165 lbs so this seemed ridiculous to me. I checked out the comments on MTB Review and found a lot of reviews from much bigger folks who didn't have any ghost shifting problems. I also read the various things people have tried to fix the ghost shifting. The first thing I did was check my rear suspension settings. As stated in the Giant manual, the rear suspension is supposed to be set up as without sag when you just sit on the bike. My bike's set up was completely wrong (more pressure in the "negative" chamber than in the "positive" chamber). I adjusted the pressures to the settings recommmended by Giant and voila, GHOST SHIFTING IS GONE! | | Bike Setup: | Standard factory setup except upgrade to XTR rear derailleur, XT cranks and XT front derailleur. | | Bottom Line: | The NRS1 is a very nice bike for x-country riding. The ghost shifting problem I"ve experienced has been very frustrating but, having solved the problem (so far so good!), I am really happy with the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin m
a Weekend Warrior
from pembroke pines fl usa
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | bells bikes | | Strengths: | Absolutely beautiful,fairly light in stock form,good choice components,easy to get used to if you had a hardtail,like paint scheme better then 03 nrs 1 | | Weaknesses: | Vicious ghost shifting on first ride,has gotten better after rear cable adjustments,I think I can squeeze a dent with my hands on this thin stuff.why deore front derailleur? dremmeled cleats down for easier disengaing of atac pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher sugar 3+ (returned it and bought this bike) | | Bike Setup: | Cross max wheels.hutchinson mosquitos up front pythons rear with grey side walls,answer carbon riser bar,thomson seat post. | | Bottom Line: | I'll be honest,what drew me to this bike is the paint scheme.I really didn't want to spend this kind of money($1800 including cross max wheels and tires which lbs switched out)I origionally bought the sugar and was happy for a day but decided I wanted to get a little higher end bike plus the sugar was very plain looking.My first ride was a disaster,Every climb had a constant ghost shifting.It was so bad that that I had to leave the trails.After taking it back for tuning(rear derailleur cable)it appears that it has gone away but it would probably need one final adjustment.This bike is also great on the road if you dont have time to find a trail,There is some slight on the saddle bobbing(shock set at 190psi,I weigh 185)but it seems to disappear when pedaling out of the saddle.Frame does seem very fragile in some areas as far as dents.Almost blew out my knee trying to get out of the atac pedals but with the great tips you find on this site I used a dremel and shaved some metal off the cleats.Component selection for the most part is good,I felt too slumped over so I opted for a more comfortable position using a riser bar.I also wanted to see what the 03 bikes looked like and I felt this years nrs 1 looks better(better price too) although the new nrs air looks awesome but way out of my price range.All in all this is a great bike especially if you plan on putting high miles on trails and on the road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Frank Ford Bike | | Strengths: | Excellent value, good efficiency (very surprising uphill), excellent quality | | Similar Products Used: | My first Full Banger | | Bike Setup: | XT, XTR (rear dr), Truvative, Truvativ Gigapipe BB (brand new), Avid Archrival rim brakes (all parts work fine and come recommended. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of the NRS-1 Frame, Black. I am a very tall rider, 6'5" and had a limited selection of high quality full suspension rides. The NRS-1 is really a fine frame.
Some notes for those of you who want to build up an NRS frame. First, even though it is natively uses a special recessed headset, the 2002 came with adapters for a conventional one. I bought a Cane Creek ZS-1 and aside from being $60 poorer I was satisfied. The only frame issue was the need to tighten the linkage closest to the BB after 4 months – it made a nasty creak one day (today, actually). Also, there is some sway as I apply pressure to crank in the region of the BB – which is probably common with today’s light weight XC frames, but was not so much true with my trusty old, very reliable Schwinn Moab frame. I had fortunately just bought a 3/8” torque wrench at sears ($20 similar to the park product) and some Chinese hex sockets ($10) which did the job nicely. The manual gave the torque specs and I hit them all, and no more nasty creak! The NRS 1 supports rim breaks and that’s what I use, Avid Archrival’s which have been a truly superior investment. On the geometry, it was really laid out like my old hardtail, and is perfect for my height. If you are below 6’ 3” you have a lot more options in frames (this one is probably too large) but that shouldn’t bother you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from McAlester, Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles of Tulsa | | Strengths: | Best value for the money. The brakes are awesome. The bike accelerates great. Climbs like a hardtail. Topnotch components. Tubeless tires, be sure and slime them . | | Weaknesses: | Frame dents easily | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It truly lives up to its billing. Had some trouble with the bike ghost shifting while climbing steep rocky trails. Got the rear shifter cable adjusted properly and have had no problems since. The bike is a joy to ride. I would buy it again, no regrets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Roanoke, Va, USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cardinal Bicycle | | Strengths: | NRS really works well. I see some complaining about the rear suspension being too stiff and not plush. You can adjust the rear to be as soft as you want or as stiff. If you want a plush ride just take some air out and it is just like all the other bobbing rear end bikes. You can also stiffen the hell out of it and make it nearly a hard tail. Bike is light for a FS and very fast. Bike handles rugged terrain very well and gives this rider more confidence. Hayes brakes are great, good stopping power but they do require some adjustment every once in a while to keep them from squealing. When they get wet you just have to live with the squealing until they quickly dry. UST tubeless is great. Only problem is having to add air before each ride but no big deal to me. The tires have taken a beating on rocks, sticks and stobs with no problems other than developing a slow leak.
Time pedals work great. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock blew out immediately, LBS replaced with one off the show room floor and have had no problems since. Both rear and front shocks hold air well. Front shock is very light weight and flexy. However it is meant for racing. A bit too light for my 190 pounds. The lock out on the SID is great when you stand up and power up the hills. You must play with the shock setups to get the right combination for you of positive and negative pressure as well as rebound adjustment. Pythons have no side lugs and wash out in loose ground in turns. However the pythons hook up very well on climbs and over varied terrain. The more I ride them the better I like them.
Get a lizard skin for the nasty chain slap.
Did punture a hydraulic line and lost my front brakes in a freak encounter with a tree limb. Would mechanical brakes with a shot at a cable field repair be better??? Still love the Hayes.
Do not fall in love with the paint job. It does not hang around long anywhere there is a cable even looking at it. | | Similar Products Used: | Came down between this one and specialized. No regrets. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except XT front D. and SRAM chain. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden the bike about 4000 to 500 miles. Love this bike. Great ride. The ghost shifting problems people have had I do not completely understand. I had problems initially but it is my experience you can not adjust a 9-speed rear D on a bike stand at your LBS. That only gets you in the ball park. Fine adjustments in the field under force is the final step.
This is a racing bike not a big hit jumping bike. Perfect for single track and moderate down hill. Climbs extremely well.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan Parkes
a Cross Country Rider
from Rotorua New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Redwood in Rotorua - best in the Southern Hemisphere!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | NZ | | Strengths: | Does all it said. Climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | I have run the 2001 XTC1 for a year now and learnt some lessons. The tubing is really easily dented (top tube and downtube). I friend suggested putting 3M Stoneguard on the new frame. This is near invisable, protects the weak paint and seems to stop dents.
Keep a real close eye on those rear suspension bolts. They do tend to work loose and this causes some damage if you let it stay that way for too long. Use lots of lock-tight when you tighten them up.
Also, the bearing in centre of the top arm seems to be destroyed quite easily (destroyed two sets to date). This, accorting the a "bearing expert", was due to dirt getting into the bearing. I now have some "truely sealed" bearings in so I hope this set will last longer. If these blow I'll go for a bronze bushing.
I heard from several people the they were loosing preasure in there bottom chamber of the rear SID. This happened to me as well. I sent it back on warrentee and they replaced the seals and its been sweat since. Everyting else is sweat, but I have worn out a lot of the running gear, and its pricey to replace this Shimano stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing has the same feel as other fully's all bob. | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock std | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Recommend the design and ride. Nothing broken that couldn't be fixed relatively easily. Hope the tricks help you new owners. Enjoy the ride!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RIck Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bassendean West Australia
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Excellent brakes, super duper suspension design - no bobbing but no ruptured kidneys. Mavic rims are bomb proof. Love it when everything working well. Lot's of confidence on tough XC and downhill. Fabulous on steep rocky uphill. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot believe how quickly the drive train wears. I have had the bike about 8 months and I am on my third cassette and chain, second front chain ring set and have just had new rear derailleur wheels fitted. I ride about 200km/week. Am I a freak or just a fat b.....d. - 105kg. Seat is also about due for replacement.
I have had the Formula rear hub on Off road wheels replaced. It died 10km from the car - hate walking. | | Similar Products Used: | none for any length of time | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT pods and front der, SRAM chain, Riser bars. Use Ultegra cassette on road wheels. I am trying SRAM 7 cassette on off road wheels to try and get more life. | | Bottom Line: | Originally reviewed this beast after a short period and loved it. When everything is near new it is a thing of beauty. I have thought about getting a clanger for midweek training but like riding the NRS too much to do that, regardless of the phenomenal cost of keeping it in tune. Wife is learning well.
Love the bike, brakes and forks are awesome - even though pad replacement can be a drama.
Is a bike for medium level XC but handles urban and road training well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RIck Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bassendean West Australia
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Excellent brakes, super duper suspension design - no bobbing but no ruptured kidneys. Mavic rims are bomb proof. Love it when everything working well. Lot's of confidence on tough XC and downhill. Fabulous on steep rocky uphill. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot believe how quickly the drive train wears. I have had the bike about 8 months and I am on my third cassette and chain, second front chain ring set and have just had new rear derailleur wheels fitted. I ride about 200km/week. Am I a freak or just a fat b.....d. - 105kg. Seat is also about due for replacement.
I have had the Formula rear hub on Off road wheels replaced. It died 10km from the car - hate walking. | | Similar Products Used: | none for any length of time | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT pods and front der, SRAM chain, Riser bars. Use Ultegra cassette on road wheels. I am trying SRAM 7 cassette on off road wheels to try and get more life. | | Bottom Line: | Originally reviewed this beast after a short period and loved it. When everything is near new it is a thing of beauty. I have thought about getting a clanger for midweek training but like riding the NRS too much to do that, regardless of the phenomenal cost of keeping it in tune. Wife is learning well.
Love the bike, brakes and forks are awesome - even though pad replacement can be a drama.
Is a bike for medium level XC but handles urban and road training well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RIck Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bassendean West Australia
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Excellent brakes, super duper suspension design - no bobbing but no ruptured kidneys. Mavic rims are bomb proof. Love it when everything working well. Lot's of confidence on tough XC and downhill. Fabulous on steep rocky uphill. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot believe how quickly the drive train wears. I have had the bike about 8 months and I am on my third cassette and chain, second front chain ring set and have just had new rear derailleur wheels fitted. I ride about 200km/week. Am I a freak or just a fat b.....d. - 105kg. Seat is also about due for replacement.
I have had the Formula rear hub on Off road wheels replaced. It died 10km from the car - hate walking. | | Similar Products Used: | none for any length of time | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT pods and front der, SRAM chain, Riser bars. Use Ultegra cassette on road wheels. I am trying SRAM 7 cassette on off road wheels to try and get more life. | | Bottom Line: | Originally reviewed this beast after a short period and loved it. When everything is near new it is a thing of beauty. I have thought about getting a clanger for midweek training but like riding the NRS too much to do that, regardless of the phenomenal cost of keeping it in tune. Wife is learning well.
Love the bike, brakes and forks are awesome - even though pad replacement can be a drama.
Is a bike for medium level XC but handles urban and road training well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RIck Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bassendean West Australia
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Excellent brakes, super duper suspension design - no bobbing but no ruptured kidneys. Mavic rims are bomb proof. Love it when everything working well. Lot's of confidence on tough XC and downhill. Fabulous on steep rocky uphill. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot believe how quickly the drive train wears. I have had the bike about 8 months and I am on my third cassette and chain, second front chain ring set and have just had new rear derailleur wheels fitted. I ride about 200km/week. Am I a freak or just a fat b.....d. - 105kg. Seat is also about due for replacement.
I have had the Formula rear hub on Off road wheels replaced. It died 10km from the car - hate walking. | | Similar Products Used: | none for any length of time | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT pods and front der, SRAM chain, Riser bars. Use Ultegra cassette on road wheels. I am trying SRAM 7 cassette on off road wheels to try and get more life. | | Bottom Line: | Originally reviewed this beast after a short period and loved it. When everything is near new it is a thing of beauty. I have thought about getting a clanger for midweek training but like riding the NRS too much to do that, regardless of the phenomenal cost of keeping it in tune. Wife is learning well.
Love the bike, brakes and forks are awesome - even though pad replacement can be a drama.
Is a bike for medium level XC but handles urban and road training well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RIck Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bassendean West Australia
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Excellent brakes, super duper suspension design - no bobbing but no ruptured kidneys. Mavic rims are bomb proof. Love it when everything working well. Lot's of confidence on tough XC and downhill. Fabulous on steep rocky uphill. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot believe how quickly the drive train wears. I have had the bike about 8 months and I am on my third cassette and chain, second front chain ring set and have just had new rear derailleur wheels fitted. I ride about 200km/week. Am I a freak or just a fat b.....d. - 105kg. Seat is also about due for replacement.
I have had the Formula rear hub on Off road wheels replaced. It died 10km from the car - hate walking. | | Similar Products Used: | none for any length of time | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT pods and front der, SRAM chain, Riser bars. Use Ultegra cassette on road wheels. I am trying SRAM 7 cassette on off road wheels to try and get more life. | | Bottom Line: | Originally reviewed this beast after a short period and loved it. When everything is near new it is a thing of beauty. I have thought about getting a clanger for midweek training but like riding the NRS too much to do that, regardless of the phenomenal cost of keeping it in tune. Wife is learning well.
Love the bike, brakes and forks are awesome - even though pad replacement can be a drama.
Is a bike for medium level XC but handles urban and road training well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | South Mountain Cycle | | Strengths: | No bob, no energy lost, yet you know the suspension is there when you go through the rough stuff. Great value! Can not beat the components (with the upgrades I made) | | Weaknesses: | None so far. Did not experience any of the ghost shift problem described by other reviewers. | | Bike Setup: | Stock NRS-1, upgrade the f.d. to XT, r.d. to RapidRise XTR, shifter to XTR, and crank and BB from OEM RaceFace to XT. | | Bottom Line: |
Simply can not beat the value of this bike. End of year sale, bought the bike brand new for $1600, and then spend $200 on the upgrade mentioned above. (Highly recommend South Mountain Cycle! Only pay the upgrade price for each components!)
The bike works as advertised if set up properly. (It came with a nice high pressure shock pump that works for both the shock and the fork)
Setup the rear without sag, you get the full 3.75" travel at rear. It is not the most plush ride, however, but on the other hand, you get high efficiency when pedaling. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Bloomington, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Vitesse Cycle | | Strengths: | Sid Suspension, Hayes Discs, Tubeless Tires. | | Weaknesses: | REAR SHIFTER CABLE TOO SHORT (SEE BELOW), Front Derailer, Paint chips easy. Time cleats need shaved. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Like several other reviewers below, I also experienced severe "ghost shifting" problems from the start. I've had my bike into my LBS several times to fix the problem. Like others, they adjusted the rear derailer and checked the chain and BB etc. Each time I took it out, the ghost shifting was still there on most climbs.
I took copies of the reviews below in to my LBS to see if this would help pinpoint the problem. They contacted Giant's Tech department and everything related to the cranks and bottom bracket were within proper specs, but they took out the BB spacer per Giant and I tried it again. Still ghost shifting.
I took it back again and one of the guys at my LBS happened to mention it to a buddy at Giant (not in the tech area). The guy at Giant has this bike and said that the rear shifter cable was spec'd way too short from the factory. When under load, the bike flexes just enough that the shifter cable is pulled and causes the bike to shift. Mine shifted as much as two gears at times.
My LBS added about 1 1/2 inches to the rear shifter cable in the area behind the seat post tube and the rear derailer. It should stick out a couple of inches. I went riding this past weekend and it was dead solid perfect. Not even a hint of shift was detected. It sure feels good to pedal up a hill and not have to worry about unexpected shifts causing you to lose momentum and crash.
While some problems with ghost shifting may have other causes, I would recommend you try this very inexpensive fix if you are experiencing shifting and skipping problems on climbs.
I also had trouble getting out of the Time pedals. My ankles are shot from football/basketball/volleyball and don't have a lot of flexibility. If you are like me, go to the Time pedal section of this web site and there are instructions on how to dremel off part of the brass cleat. I followed the instructions and fall no more. I have not experience any unexpected releases either.
As for the bike. When it's tuned and working properly, it's plain phenominal. Very fast and good at everything you experience as a cross country rider - climbs, jumps, descents, you name it. If you can find one, you gotta get it.
Hats off to the guys at my LBS for their efforts. They tried everything to solve the problem and really took care of me. Spread the word on the shifter cable problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fletcher Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexander City, Alabama, usa
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bob's Bike | | Strengths: | The no bob set up works but I run a little bob to soften up the rear.Light weight for an FS. Spec out very well. I love the disk brakes and tubeless tires. This bike handles slow technical trails better than my old rig. | | Weaknesses: | Tubes do seem quit thin?? No dents yet. If you don't experiment with the shock setup for your weight/riding style, you'll get an awful ride. When it's tuned properly, the ride is sweet. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FS | | Bike Setup: | Tune, tune, tune those shocks. Get it right. It makes a big difference. Thomson stem (10mm longer)and seatpost, WTB seat. Stan's notubes poured in tires. It works! | | Bottom Line: | Compared to my old Cdale this bike is great. I just need to learn to stay seated almost all the time. That isn't natural for me because I like to push. The bike hooks up very well on climbs. I poured Stan's notubes in my tires and I know I should have flatted by now but I'm still rolling. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | not saying | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Excellent FS design, once you figure out the appropriate positive air in the rear shock for your weight and riding style. I wasn't looking for disc brakes, but have quickly grown to like them. An outstanding value. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur, which will be upgraded to XT soon. Pythons are good on firm stuff but wash out on loose, good enough 'til they wear out. No flats yet. Less than stellar paint job. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested GF Sugar 2, Trek Fuel 98, SC Superlight, Stumpjumper, among others | | Bike Setup: | Stock (including XT hubs), except for 959 spd pedals | | Bottom Line: | A terrific fs design that stands out among other excellent machines. After much research and testing I narrowed my list to this bike and the Sugar 2. Overall feel, uphill and down, is hard to beat. The rear ghost shifting that others have mentioned appeared once on this bike. A half turn on the cable adjuster solved the problem. My other mb is a '98 Schwinn Moab 1. A fine hardtail in my opinion, but there's no going back. Any cross country rider that's considering FS in the $2000 range ought to give this one a look. I'd award 4 1/2 chilis for overall rating if it were an option. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wallyboy
a
from Midwest
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lewis and Clark and Swanson | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Highgear (its the shiz) | | Strengths: | Respondes like a wiener dog getting its first pig ear
technical ability is super sweet
perfect amount of travel on shock (when set right)
everything else is the greatest I've ever ridden except what's said in weaknesses | | Weaknesses: | I know the Sid SL fork is ment for racing and they really mean it's ment for racing, isn't the greatest for big hits or drop-offs (oops... probly shouldn't do too big of drops with this bike) no other weaknesses, period | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher sugar +'s, Klein manta, didn't need to test much considering my sweet price i got it for | | Bike Setup: | All stock, but new seat (Italia) probly going to switch XT rear derailleur to XTR just b/c I have an XTR laying around somewhere, maybe put some new 2003 XTR front derailleur or XT , but I'm not sure | | Bottom Line: | This bike is unbelievable.
Well worth the money, I'd pay the extra $900 for a new one except the demo bike I got was practically new, plus all those "problems" with ghost shifting some how never existed and probly never will. If the boys at the shoppe put the bike together right, then there's no problems. Very sturdy bike, I love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Boston, MA and Oakdale, CT
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Case Mtn. in CT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | ATA Cycle Cambridge, MA | | Strengths: | Excellent excellent system, the No-bob technology is flawless. Great wheelset (mavic tubeless w/ xt hubs). The SID SL. Bike is super snappy and stable on fast dh's. The stock bike is literally race ready. Cool color scheme. | | Weaknesses: | Front deraileur. Cable rub on seattube. Shim for seatpost creaks. Paint chips very easily, poor paint quality. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar, Superlight | | Bike Setup: | All stock as of right now...upgrades from the titec components comin soon. And dont forget the new XTR line comin out soon. :) | | Bottom Line: | This frame has the BEST system for no-bob and XC technology. All my ridin buddies with full suspension brag about their rear shocks with lockouts...Whooptee doo. The NRS needs no lockout!! When climbin or just crankin along, there is no motion in the rear shock at all! I cant say enough on how great this system is, just go get one. This is the full suspension XC bike to get.
Ive had the bike for 3 months approximately and put about 500 miles on my NRS. All of the weaknesses above are outweighed by the performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steef Shavez
a Cross Country Rider
from BayArea, CA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs Point | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Good climbing ability, lightweight, good cornering. | | Weaknesses: | Chainstay slap! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F900, Fisher Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Marathon S 100 Fork, full XTR, Hayes hydrollic, monkey lites, thomson seat/stem, mavic crosslink disc, panaracer fire pro xc tires. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding long enough to know quality when it's in front of me, this bike is quality. I managed a bike store for quite some time, and this bike was by far the best at it's price range. Don't let the frame fool you, I actually have a better bike than the NRS Air(God I love pointing that out), but with the same frame/shock as that bike(as well as the NRS 2) it is an exceptional value. If you're looking to spend about $2000 on a bike.... look no further. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Magnusen
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport News, VA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | York River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Weight, NRS system, brakes, seat. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | tested AC1 and Manomano | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I've only had about 10 or so rides (120 miles) on the bike, but I've noticed a huge differance in my riding because of the bike. I don't know why I waited so long to get it (actully because I couldn't find one). I looked at a lot of bikes and I kept coming back to the NRS1. It climbs like my hardtail(or better), downhills like a champ, it is taking a little getting used to the disk brakes, they stop like nobody's business. Tubeless tires are great, haven't had any problems with the rims, or any inadvertant shifting yet. This is my first full susp. bike and I'm still trying to figure out the suspension set up, so far as PSI, I'm 6ft and 205lbs and ride pretty agressive, so if anyone out there could help be out it would be appreciated. I'll have to write back in a few months and reveiw with a few more miles on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert D
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Muleshue, Emma Long | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle 360 | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, Great Handling, Rock Shox front and rear perform much better than I thought they would, and I live in a very rocky area. | | Weaknesses: | OK, I have a twisted story. Giant oblviously did not spend enough time researching the component set to match this frame. The Race Face cranks that come stock cause unfixable ghost-shifting between the second and third Granny Gears. This basically renders the bike non-functional during any grade ascent. DO NOT BUY THIS BIKE WITH THE STOCK CRANK!!!It will not climb without popping and shifting. Major headache. I took the bike back to the shop at least 5 times to have the derailer re-tuned. Finally, my bike shop mechanic switched the crank to a XT and I have had no problems in that area since. Next, Giant also forgot to lube the rear free-hub correctly at the factory, which in turn caused the whole system to seize. Long story short, the shop guys had to replace the entire back wheel. Also, make sure you get rid of the piece of crap titec seat post. Going down a rocky hill and having the seat bolt break off and the seat hit you in the crotch is not something I'm sure you would like to experience. It was quite painful. And riding 3 miles back to the truck with no seat is a little taxing on the calves. Once you have corrected these minor problems you should be good to go. I have spent more time at the shop than I have at my job! Please e-mail me with any questions you have about this bike, I will be more than happy to share my experiences. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Big Sur, Hardtail, tested Specialized Enduro Expert | | Bike Setup: | XT front and back derailers, XT crank, Easton Monkeybars, Time MTB pedals (they are sweet!) Basically everything stock. Next purchase:NEW SEATPOST. | | Bottom Line: | First, I must commend the guys at Cycle 360. They have been extremely patient and helpful to me. I am very satisfied with there skill and service. I would recommend to anyone in the Austin area to buy from them. OK, the bike. If you are lucky and have the service back up like me, I would definitely recommend this bike. Fix the few cut corners that Giant made, and you have yourself a hell of a bike. It floats over rocks, and handles great. If you are a bigger dude, like myself (6-3 225), I would definitely check it. Firm and solid. Be weary of the tubeless tires, I have already had one side wall un-patchable blow out, sounded like a gunshot. Another nice walk back to the truck. The day after the seat incident! Long weekend. Good Luck! P.S. I would have given 5's, but Giant should know better than to install the wrong or cheese components on a $2000 bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | Fork's adjustable compression and lockout is great, stiff climber, fast downhill xc bike | | Weaknesses: | Personal: shocks are complicated to tune, I am a proponent of keeping it simple.
Experienced: SEVERE ghost shifting in largest cogs especially when in the middle chainring. Tubeless not immune to thorns. Sensitive paint. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Comp | | Bike Setup: | Avid mechanical disc brakes, XT F&R Derallieurs, 130mm ritchey stem, stock otherwise | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike, but I wouldn't pay bike shop full retail of $2100 for it. It rides like a hardtail through the flats and on climbs and does not "float" over little bumps like more active FS bikes so it doesn't feel mushy. BUT, when the going get's rocky, rutted or rooty with some speed this bike let's you keep your momentum and has definitely improved my downhill speed without decreasing my climbing ability at all. Fork lockout allows me to run lower pressures in the front shock to take advantage of the shock's travel downhill without bobbing up the climbs. I used to run really stiff fork pressures to avoid that bobbing. Lockout is very easy to control.
I switched to a longer stem to avoid some front wheel drift on really steep climbs, could be my personal riding style though I felt the top tube and stem were too short for an XC race bike. 10 mm can't make an enormous difference so perhaps it's psychological. Whatever, it worked.
BIGGEST PROBLEM:
I have a ghost shifting problem that I have traced to the bottom bracket spindles being too long. That is why those spacers are there. This puts the crank so far out that when in the two largest cogs, the middle or small chainring pulls the chain off the cassette teeth under high torque. This causes an inability to pedal and climbing is impossible. I have worked around it by using my little ring more and staying in my middle cogs, however this is not right. I need a bottom bracket with shorter spindles, but have not found anyone who knows what the measurement should be.
DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE ANY ADVICE?
Ultimatly a very, very nice bike with sensitive paint and an incorrect spindle length that causes shifting issues. If I resolve the spindle issue, I will repost some comments. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mr. Toads | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Plaines | | Strengths: | sid fork and frame design makes for a fast ride. Still can't beat the value | | Weaknesses: | RF Bottom bracket, stock wheels to flexy for racing. | | Similar Products Used: | Superlight, sugar, element | | Bike Setup: | Flipped the stem over for a -10 rise, replaced wheels with crossmax wheels, cow bell, sawp between pythons and jet s | | Bottom Line: | I have owned this bike for close to a year now after getting it right out of the box, on the first shipment. I still love the ride and I have given the bike a ton of abuse, and it has survived in good shape. I was flexing the back wheel into the frame during strong accelations, so I switch to a set of crossmaxs, I only weight 160! The sid fork has held up well, I just had it rebuild after I busted a metal washer inside, but it has seen plenty of abuse! For the amount of races and hard rides I have put this bike through I am very pleased with overall quality. I just replaced my disc brake pads since they were getting very close to the metal. I would reccommend this bike for someone who likes to ride fast xc-trails and do xc races. This bike has helped me get to the podium a fair amount of times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Crowley
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV 89502
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rim Trail, Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Mother Lode Bicycles | | Strengths: | Light Weight. Great Climber. Love the way it handles on the trail. SID shocks were a nice surprise. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket gave out in first month. Formula hubs keep coming loose. Frame completely bent and out of action on one minor crash. Lots of ghost shifting when first purchased. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Panracer Fire XC's. XT front derailleur. Titec TI118 handle bar. Easton carbon seat post. Selle Italia Ti Gel Seat | | Bottom Line: | The bike rides awesome. I fell in love with it on the first ride. Anyone looking for an awesome climber and who wants a ride similar to a hardtail, I recommend the bike. My big complaint at first was the large amount of time it took for someone to realize why it was ghost shifting too bad. Turns out that the Formula hubs come loose easy causing the cassette to move around. Giant realized the problem and changed to XT hubs, but too late for me. Giant's customer service was good to work with me through the hub problems and quickly responded. My big complaint though is on the thinness of the frame. On a minor crash where my body took 90% of the impact the frame completely bent and creased. I contacted my LBS which called Giant Warranty. Best they could do was 15% off a new frame (NRS3 is all they had in stock). This put the price even with an NRS3 full bike discounted off the shelf. Thanks Giant. I know the crash was my fault, but the frame barely hit anything. Small rocks were the only real thing it could have bounced off of. Well, enough whining. If you want a race ready good bike, I recommend it. Just don't crash . . .you'll regret it. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SpongeDog
a Cross Country Rider
from McLean, VA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Fast
Light
Rugged
Well Equipped | | Weaknesses: | Rear Suspension is a tad on the firm side | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyll, Sugar, FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XTR rear D, XT front D, XT hubs (stock, but not in Giant's published Spec) | | Bottom Line: | I reviewed this after I bought it. I loved it then, and love it more now! The bike gives me virtually no problems (after solving the inital setup problems created by either Giant or Performance). I have run a 24 hr race and a couple of other races. I thrash the bike 3+ times a week on both singletrack and pavement. I have bashed the bike into trees, down revines, and into my poor friend on the street. It takes a lickin... As opposed to others who have had all kinds of problems listed in other reviews, my brakes have been fantastic (I have not had to adjust them once since I bled them prior to a race 3 months ago), the SID forks are great, and the tubeless times are flawless. Maybe I am lucky, but I have a great rig.
Now with great bike, come great responsiblitiy. This is a complex piece of equipment. I wash and throughly clean the bike if I get it into the mud, and always double check bolt tightness, air pressure, ect. You have to do it. If you don't like maintaining a bike, I would strongly reccomend that one purchases a hardtail (although even a hardtail should get a little love now and then).
Now I did complain about the firmness of the rear suspension. I love the way the bike climbs, decends, and rolls on the flats, so I overlook the stiffness, but HEY GIANT, if you are going to improve this puppy, figure out how to get the NRS system working with a little more plush ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan Smit
a
from Markham
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Cycle Sport in Pickering | | Strengths: | See my other review down further | | Weaknesses: | SID SL FORK, bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: | See my other review down further | | Bike Setup: | See my other review down further | | Bottom Line: | Shortly after I had the bike my crank almost came off while I was riding to work. After removing the arms I noticed that there were strange spacers on the bottom bracket spindle. I did some research on the net and found an article explaining that giant put these spacers on the bike in order to have a correct chainline instead of just putting the correct size of bottom bracket on the bike because it was too late in the MFG process to change the spec of the bottom bracket. I have no idea how much truth there is to this but having spacers on your BB can only lead to bad things as far as I'm concerned. I've been plagued by my non-drive side crank coming loose during every ride, after ditching the spacer on that side and using blue lock-tite I have relieved the issue. I have free floating pedals so I don't even notice the couple mm extra that my crank has moved in. My second beef is with the SID SL that comes with the bike, I've had nothing but problems with it. I have been back to the shop with it three times now and finally they (Rock Shox) are upgrading me to a SID carbon. With the SL I had an issue with excessive play in the bushings, oil leaking out of the compression damping adjuster, and a problem where my forks would compress and then not return after riding for about 5 + minutes which I've heard is caused by air leaking from the positive chamber into the negative chamber. When the fork worked it was great but I won't touch another one due to reliability. I'll fill you guys in on the verdict for the SID carbon after I put it on and test it out for a bit. Other than these facts the bike is great :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Denver
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | yes | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, nice handling | | Weaknesses: | lots of nuts and bolts | | Similar Products Used: | 24 hour race on a GT i drive | | Bike Setup: | Frame only, converted XTR,XT off Serotta with cross max rims | | Bottom Line: | Out standing bike that handles very nice. fast fun climbing bike that has made me a better climber. I am a
6-1' 200 pound rider who loves long climbs, but ofter suffers because of my size. I have come to terms with the fact that I will always be a middle of the pack climber in races because of my size. Since getting the NRS I have had to change my outlook on racing. I have been hanging with the little fellows on the climbs and finishing with good results.
Fear: Comming off a Serotta hard tail that had no flaws, I was nervouse about all the mechanical problems that could occure with a FS. My fears came true after 2 months of riding and terrible creeking started to occure. 2 local Giant dealers said that it is normal and I was just experiencing my first aluminum frame. After many days of ripping apart and putting back together, I finally broke down to have it serviced (not good when you expect to race on weekends). To avoid hearing a Giant dealer say its "normal" I took my bike to Wheatridge Cycles for another opinion. 15 minutes later I was out the door creek free. It turns out the creek was not normal, but also not frame related. My drive side xt crank arm had a crack in the spline area. Thanks Wheatridge Cycles.
Bottom line. Don't put up with "oh thats normal" I like quiet trails. Now that I am stelth again, look out, becuase I can now catch you on the climbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rougemont | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Andre Cycles | | Strengths: | Hayes hydraulic brakes. NRS rear suspension design. Climbing ability and general XC handling. | | Weaknesses: | SID SL forks !! | | Similar Products Used: | no other rear suspension design comes close so i didn't bother | | Bike Setup: | stock except XT front derailleur, XT shifters, Syncros seat post, 10mm shorter stem and Shimano 646 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I left the stock pedals at the bike shop and got XT replacements for the drivetrain. A good idea.
Tires are not the best in the mud but i'll leave them on until they are worn out.
The SID damping system is already broken... Not good at all since i'm light weight and a fairly smooth rider.
Make sure your replaceable derailleur hanger is not bent otherwise shifting is hell...
An excellent bike with a few components that are not so great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Santiago
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Pleasantant Bicycles, Ca | | Strengths: | Bike loves to climb!
Bike feels light at 27lbs
Suspension is great! Top of the line Rockshock stuff.
Brakes work good.
Rear is slightly stiffer than previous bikes but handles well. | | Weaknesses: | Chain is too long, so it rubs against bottom frame bracket and makes a lot of clanking noise. Removing two links move the chain away from bottom bracket about 1.5" and solve the problem. I also added some neopreme wrap around the bottom bracket to stop chain slap.
Bar stem too flat and causes you to be bent over too far. Added 1" riser bar helped a lot. 1.5" would of been probably better. 2" would be too high.
Shock negative pressure valve was defective would not hold the 50psi setting so replace the valve.
The fork bottom rebound adjuster did not work. took cap off and pulled the allen end out an additional .25" so that it would reach the interal adjuster.
Not a lot of instructions on how to setup suspension.
I had to call around a lot and do a lot of learning on my own.
Tires work great on dry stuff. I do not think the rear tire will work good when the wet season comes. Plan to put a Panaracer CrossFire on the rear for winter riding and leave the front tire as is.
| | Similar Products Used: | Super V800 FSR-Specialize | | Bike Setup: | 18.5" Bike for my 5'-9" ht. Taller folks need next size up.
1" riser bar
LP composite short bar ends
Time Carbon pedles
Neopreme wrap on bottom frame bracket
Removed 2 chain links to stop chain rubbing on frame bracket
45psi tire pressure
12mm of fork sag, 15psi less negative pressure than the pos pressure
Zero Shock Sag - 50psi negative pressure which is the STD.
| | Bottom Line: | Setup can be tricky if not familier with RockShock products and no real instructions. My weight is 180lbs
Fork setup is:
~12mm of sag for cross country when the compression setting is set at its softest which is all way out counter clockwise, which was ~118psi for my wt.
Rebound pressure is ~15psi less than the possitive pressure, 100psi in rebound pressure. The rebound knob had 3 turns and is typically set at 1.5 turns out.
Shock setup:
0 sag when just sitting on bike for my 180lb wt the setting was 160psi for 0 sag. The rebound is set at the standard of 50psi regardless of wt. The rebound knob is set by jumping off the curb till there is only one bounce in the rear, which was 3.5 turns in for my 180lb wt.
Note there is 4.25turns available. The best way to set the red rebound knob is to do a mound jump and adjust till the knob till the bike jumps faily flat in the air.
Also, the seatpost seemed strange because it sits inside and insert. I was told it is setup that way to save weight not because it was a poor design thought.
Bottome line is that when my son gets too tall for my old Super V800 I plan to give him this bike and by the NRS Air.
This bike is the best that I have in my garage and I have several bikes. Can't beat the value and performance for the money and it love to climb! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from St. Louis
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Castelwood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Frame design; it looks fast even when sitting still | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost insert (very cheap and poor performing - shame on Giant!); stock hubs; cables rub the paint off the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2; FSR | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded almost everything - now equal to the Air | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from a previous review.
Great frame design for large riders. The frame is strong with no flex (I am 190 LBS.) The seat post situation is a shame. Giant spec'ed a 27.2 mm seatpost with a spacer for the frame post which is 30.8 mm. The result is creaking noises ALL THE TIME. I solved the problem by buying a 30.9mm seat post. This is cheap and should not have happened. Shame on Giant! The rear hub broke in half on a rough trail and after about 800 miles of use. I was 8 miles from my car. A fellow mountain biker was kind enough to pull me, behind his bike with inner tubes, back to the car because a storm was brewing!!! The shop said the hub was OEM and they had a number of problems with them. I bought Mavic CrossMax hubs and rims (not from the shop).
The overall assessment is that this bike is built to ride and race. It has a number of irritations due to Giant's efforts to save money and offer a fantastic bike at a relatively low price. If you have the money and can upgrade, you will have a great bike.
On the trail, the bike is nice. It climbs well and descends even better. I have raced it three times and have done well. The only performance problem is that the suspension locks up under braking which causes brake-jacking on steep descents. This is just how a hardtail acts on a descent. You really need to control the bike. It is scary at first, but you get used to it. Putting your weight on the back wheel really helps.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt G
a Racer
from Toronto, ON, CANADA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 3 Stage | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporting Life | | Strengths: | Tubeless wheels, component group, the ride quality! | | Weaknesses: | SID SL fork is very flexy (I'm 155lbs) especially in technical corners - also came out of the box with tons of bushing play (not happy). DRIVETRAIN: Can't seem to get my drivetrain to stay in one place for very long - I've gone through three cassette/chain combos and every time I have major skipping in my middle & granny ring/easiest 3 cogs - very annoying when climbing in a race! REAR HUB: Lockring on hub was loose after one ride, enough to cause the cassette to rattle about! HAYES COMP LEVERS: Could they be any weaker or loose? | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 XTC nrs 1, 1997 S-works M2 hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Next LP cranks/Signature XC ISIS BB, XT shifters, Cane Creek ergo bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I have owned this bike since March of 2002 - It has been nothing but a nightmare! I have only been able to put about 25-30 hours of riding on it since it has been out of comission for most of the time - fork sent back to remedy bushing play, reoccurring drivetrain issues (if anyone has experienced this and has cured it, please let me know)! I really like this bike and think that for the money it is one of the best values out there for the type of ride it provides. I find that even though it weighs in near 27lbs, I am much faster than I was on my 22lb hardtail. If only I could rely on a smooth running drivetrain! I had absolutely no issues with the 2001 model so I can't understand why this one sucks the big one sooo much! A fox/marzocchi to stiffen up the front end and a working drivetrain would make it perfect, but for now it's just good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethlehem, PA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything on South Mtn! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Durability/Stiffness of frame and most components | | Weaknesses: | Rock Shock SID fork. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except LP carbon bar. | | Bottom Line: | I like to ride technical single track and sometimes like to jump and drop off of things. But I still have alot of climbs to ascend on my local trails, so I stuck with a CC bike. This bike is very good up hills, it's light, stiff, and stable. But it really shows it's weaknesses on downhills and small drops. The suspension isn't very active over the small stuff and I can easily bottom it out with only a small drop. Overall though, this bike does everything it advertises and does it well. Oh yea, the fork sucks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Bradford
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bicycles, Boulder | | Strengths: | Excellent Value. Killer XC ride that climes like a hardtail and floats the DH's. | | Weaknesses: | Shimmed seat post
Cheap front derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper Pro
Trek Fuel 100 | | Bike Setup: | XT/XT Drivetrain
Carbon Handlebar CT2
Thomson Seat Post | | Bottom Line: | Well what can I say? I've been riding hardtails since I was 13 years old (Now 24) and have always been a FS skeptic. Why you ask? Technology. Finally a sprung rig that would please even the most discriminating of XC enthusiasts. This thing climbs like my Stumjumper hardtail, is light enough whip around like a BMX and rides through the bumps like my BMW rides through Denver's potholes. If you're spoiled with top notch racing componests you'll probably want to make a few upgrades but overall an amazing value . So if you're one of those hardtail riders considering the FS change this is the rig for you. Keep the rubber side down! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Wausau, WI
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 9 Mile | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Scheels | | Strengths: | Great Brakes! NRS system is top notch | | Weaknesses: | HMMMMMM Still looking, had some problems shifting on the front derailer, but got that tuned in pretty good | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Rocket 88, Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | All stock, but replacing front derailer with XT soon | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, I love the Hayes brakes.
SID with Pure adjustment is great, this bike rides like it is on a cushion of air! Great XC bike, handles awsome.
I am a larger rider (6' 210lbs) and it handels me great, I take it anywhere. Rock solid components, only thing I would change is the stock deore front derailer (come on Giant, this is a top notch bike, put XT throughout!).
Handles big hits, rides over tree roots great. I love the tubeless tires, I used to get a pinch flat every week, now they are gone!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamo, CA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | hank and frank bicycles | | Strengths: | Climbs great, disc brakes, tires, lock out on front shock | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy, some cheap components | | Similar Products Used: | fuel, sugar, superlight | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension bike and I love it. Only had it for a 2 weeks. I've put about 100 miles on it but no real complaints yet. The first ride I was a little unsure about the tires, but now I love them. The bike is fast and I have no bob on the up hills. I wish I hadn't waited so long to convert to full suspension. I will be putting some major miles on it in the next month. Will write back once I've learned more. Bottom line: it is the best value I could find for a high end bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Debra Wood
a Weekend Warrior
from OKC, OK
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Store (OKC) | | Strengths: | No sagging or bobbing when pedaling, yet handles hits very well. Hayes disc brakes are awesome, component group is excellent. SID shock performs flawlessly and the NRS suspension setup functions as promised. This bike is also the best value out there. | | Weaknesses: | The front derailleur is crap, swapped it for XT. The only real problem I have with the bike is that it only comes in 3 sizes, with 16.5" being the smallest. Being a small rider (5' 3"), this frame is almost too big. It fits, but it would be better if they made an XS. This is not really a problem with the bike, but it's really my only beef. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2, Trek Fuel 90, GT i-drive | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT front derailleur and Serfas womens RX saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This bike performs exactly as the hype promised, I can honestly not tell a difference between it and my old hardtail (Schwinn Moab 1) when climbing. On the downhill side, this bike is really sweet. Granted, this is an XC bike, so don't go taking 6 foot drops. But the suspension really performs well. The Hayes disc brakes are wonderful, I don't think I can ever go back to rim brakes! This bike is also an excellent value, you cannot find better components for the price on anything out there. All in all, it was definitley worth the 2k (that I'm still paying, hehe). If it were just a little smaller, it would be perfect. 8) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian McGraw
a Racer
from Kochi Japan
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | shorenji | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Kodaka cycles | | Strengths: | Very nice riding Bike. Brought the fun back into MTBing for me. Has an efficient ride. Suspension works on bumps but not from pedaling. Over all package with Hayes discs, XT components Tubeless and Sid is great. Quite light weight for all its features. I advise riders to take the time to find the correct pressure for the rear shock. The recomended pressure on the Giant supplied chart was too low for me. The UK Giant website has soeme good advice on finding the true correct pressure taking into account not just rider weight but rider power and style. I had a variation of 20 psi depending on which system I used to set the rear shock pressure. After a lot of experimenting I found somewhere in the middle works best. (for me 64 kg 168psi). A softer pressure will give a plusher ride but allows annoying squeeking from the rear. Sid fork and rear shock both work great and have great adjustability. XT gear is faultless, Internal headset seems to work well. Hayes discs work great and have given very little hassle (just keep oil away from the rotors) | | Weaknesses: | There is just a little flex. Rider is tempted to think its the frame but I think if Giant had put more spokes in the rear wheel this could solve some of the problem. 24 spokes in a rear wheel is too few in my opinion and I only weigh 64 kg and ride cross country. When combined with a flex Sid fork and low pressure tubles system it does flex a bit but having said that, its really only an issue when standing or in tight technical sections. Also tubeless tires leak air. If only they could solve this , they would be fantastic. As is you will need to check them before each ride. The over all bike is great value but I did swap a few parts. Id advise a better seat and post. Lastly, the frame geometry is in my opinion a bit out. Giant have clearly decided to market this bike as a crosscountry bike but with the current relaxed head angle it tends to wander on long steep climbs. Geometry is a very personal thing but I feel they could perfect the frame if the lenghened the top tupe and steepened slightly and steepened the head angle just a little. (it is kickarse on down hills though) | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension so I cant compare it. | | Bike Setup: | Stock but for the following changes
Thompson stem and post
XT Front derailure
Oury grips
Flight seat
Conti Explorer UTS
| | Bottom Line: | The NRS 1 or NRS 990 as mine here in Japan is called is an excellent choice for a crosscountry rider or anyone who rides long and far on off road adventures. Its not a freeriding bike so dont buy it if you jumping off walls to crossin country. It is probably the best full suspension crosscountry bike on the market. Its not quite as efficient as a hard tail (dont believe the hype) but it is very very good. The benefits of the rear suspension far outweigh its minor drawbacks. On technical downhills and extended rough stuff this bike will definately beat a hardtail, yet it climbs as well at a hardtail. I've concentrated a lot on the few weakness this bike has but thats because there are only a few things that stand between it and perfection (actually I'd give it 4.5 chillis). Overall a great package. I'll be taking it in the Transalp challenge next week so see how she goes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Penasquitos SingleTracks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light! L-Frame Weighs 25 lbs | | Weaknesses: | Light Weight! Slight frame flex when cracking down hard from a start. | | Bike Setup: | Carbon MonkyLite Lo-Rise bar and Serefas Mens Rx saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This Bike is an outstanding XC Race Bike! I weigh over 200lbs and have been riding it 3-4 times a week over every imaginable surface (rock, hardpack, dirt, mud, thorns, etc)! It climbs better than my hard tail and the rear suspension is active when you need it and stiff when you don't.
If your looking for the best climbing Full Suspension bike the NRS1 is your ticket! Too light for the serious down hill 5+ foot drop in runs but that's not why your looking at NRS's. For general XC race/exploration this bike OWNES! You'll get lots of "NiCE BIKE!" compliments too! ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | light weight, good value, great brakes | | Weaknesses: | squeaky, requires a lot of maintenance, cockpit too long on a medium | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz SL, Sugar, iDrive | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | You know how sometimes you get on a bike and think- 'solid!'. That was not my first impression. It felt too large and streched out for a medium. granted, I only had about 30 minutes to dial it in with the help of the shop, but stil, it felt a little too racy or edgy upon the first try. After a quick fire road climb and a nice downhill, i started to warm up to the firmer yet plush ride and fantastic stopping power of the hayes discs. However, Once i started the second BIG climb of the ride the rear triangle began to squeak like a stuck pig- totally unbearable. when i mentioned it to the tech after the ride, he said that he has heard of this being a problem if the bike was not properly maintained. This was a month old demo bike at a huge shop- why was it not properly maintained, and why did it need maintenance after less than 15 rides?
All in all this is a pretty nice bike for taller type entry level racer who knows how to maintain their ride. For me, I am still a fan of the low tech single pivot designs. I would not recommend this bike as an all-around trail bike as it is decidedly designed for racing. Parts spec was nice, so im giving it a 5 for value. I did not feel like this bike made me a btter rider, or could make me significantly faster, so only 4 flaming turds overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Newtown, PA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I haven't ridden yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Strengths: | Great parts spec, frame that performs as advertised | | Weaknesses: | Paint rubs off very easily. The only real problem I've had in the three months I've owned it was chain skip at the rear cogs. I've since had the chain replaced, which cured the problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel, Enduro, Sugar, Jekyll, all were great rides | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Just finished a 24 hour race over a very technical course, and the bike performed great. Good control thanks to the tubeless tires and disc brakes, good speed thanks to the NRS system (still the same old slow rider, though). SID front and rear seem well-matched and well-suited to this bike's design, just make sure to play with rebound settings front and rear to get ones you like. At 6'2", 230 lbs, I may need a stem with more angle eventually, but overall I love this bike. I'd recommend it to anyone riding or racing XC. This bike rocks.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Derry, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles Etc. | | Strengths: | Climbs very well due to lack of “bob” and response of rear shock to keep rear wheel traction. Very strong acceleration. I have tried forcing this bike to bob and it simply does not. This lack of bobbing also provides great acceleration. Tracks very well and corners great. I love the SID. The Hayes provide amazing one finger stopping power even on the steepest decents. At first it feels the suspension is tight when you are sitting still. This is simply due to the lack of sag. This bike can not be thoroughly evaluated in a store parking lot. Once you get out on the trail, you realize quickly how smooth and fast this bike really is. Tubeless tires—no flats yet and I run at very low pressures. Air leakage not a problem at all. I am 6' tall with a 33" inseam. I ride a 20.5 and it fits me great. | | Weaknesses: | None yet but will re-post if something comes up. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Element, Santa Cruz Superlight, Specialized FSR, | | Bike Setup: | Stock except switched tires from Hutchinson Pythons to Kenda Karismas. The Pythons were not great for the conditions here in the Northeast. Not thrilled with the Kendas either. Better traction in the mud ect. but much worse on rock. Will upgrade FD when this one goes. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, especially for the money. This bike came with better components than simarly priced or even higher priced bikes. On top of that, I would have chosen this bike on the frame alone. I feel bad when I am out ridding with my friends and see them losing half of the energy to their rear shock. Great bike for those reluctant to switch from their Hardtail. If you are heavier, I would recomend the NRS 2, which is the same frame and RS, but comes with the beefier Manitou Black front shock. You sacrafice the hayes for avid discs, but the avids are awsome in their own right. Good luck and I hope it is not too late to find one of these.
Peace. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Zims bike shop | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Cheep paint job, the tubeless tires flated easy on the 3ed ride, Slimed them and had no problem so far, i know that adds a pound but the weight is worth it, if u don't have to worrie about flats. | | Bike Setup: | stock, planing to change to Chris king hubs, and xtr rear d
also thinking about going to a monkey bar | | Bottom Line: | This is my second review. I just got back from Vail Co. and Crested Butte. We ride about 90 miles in 3 days, Seen some good climing time as well as some downhill. SO i put the bike through the works!
Conclusion....
THIS BIKE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can not say it enough. I was able to clime everything and on the downs it was even better. The NRS system works, and works good. The front shock is a perfect match for the bike. The brakes worked at times to well, at any point going downhill, i never thought the brakes would not stop me in a sec if i wanted them to.the bike climes like a mt goat. The 28 lbs was not bad to push around and i was able to keep up with my friends Ti frame bikes.
The only complaint i got is the paint. Its is easy to chip and scrach off. I had the bike for about 2 months and i got 4 good scrapes. I tryed to call Giant and get the paint code for the yellow and gray buy was told the code was not printed in english. Thw best thing to do is to go to a auto body shop and get some paint matched. :(
If u are looking for a good bike for cheep here u go.there is no beating it for the price!
Also if anyone knows the paint codes (heard there auto colors)
E mail them to my please..... asmose@aol.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Nesselroad
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Finley Rd @ Morgan Territory | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | STD/Standard Cycle in San Ramon | | Strengths: | A lot of nice stuff for the price. Climbs like crazy! | | Weaknesses: | Lack of side lugs on Hutchinson Python tubeless tires. Very long stem stretches you out in the cockpit. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 2000, Specialized Stumpjumper, Sugar 3+, NRS-2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Plan to upgrade to Hutchinson Mosquito tires to get more agressive tread. | | Bottom Line: | Very happy with the bike so far. Really climbs well. NRS suspension works as advertised. Am super impressed with the hydraulic brakes. No issues so far with the tubeless tires needing frequent additional air. In spite of thorn and sticker season being in full swing...no punctures yet in the tubeless tires. Am going to try a shorter stem and handlebars with some upcurve to find a little less aggressive-more comfortable position for riding the bike. I'm stretched out too much on long rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Toddler Gallie
a Cross Country Rider
from London, ON, CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Collinwood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Strengths: | The bike rocks uphills with no BOB like they say. I can zero the O-Ring on the rear shock at the bottom of the hill and at the top get off the bike and the O-Ring is still Zero!! | | Weaknesses: | Bolts loosening up and cheap BB. I had a main pivot bolt loosen up w/ 250Km's on bike. @ 300Km's Race Face Prodigy BB is shot (Warranty) but had to buy a new one. And Finally @ 350Km's my rear cassette locknut came loose, tightened it and now after 5km's my freehub is loose. I don't think they use torque wrenches in Taiwan??? | | Bike Setup: | The way it comes but added Carbon Monkey Risers, and of course a RaceFace Signature BB. | | Bottom Line: | Hopefully I have all of the loose bugs out and can just ride. I really like the ride and am impressed with the bike overall. I can't give a 5 because of the failures I have had, but with no failures it would be a 6. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Team Shu
a
from Aptos (Santa Cruz), CA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | A follow-up from my review from 5-26:
With five or six decent rides and 100+ miles on the bike I can honestly say I really only have two complaints about the bike (OK, maybe three if you include my concern over the “delicate” frame). The first has to do with some chain skip at the rear cassette under heavy stress while climbing up steep inclines. I suspect maybe only some fine-tuning needed on the derailleur cable or a need to shorten the chain by a link or two, both due to stretching as it is a fairly new occurrence. The second still has to do with the “Red Rum” that oozes out of the negative chamber of the fork as you release pressure, apparently a common occurrence on the SID SL. It’s easy enough to deal with but still just inconvenient enough to be obnoxious.
Other than that, if you don’t hear from me it means I’m out shreadin’ trails in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains! Still five flaming what-ever-they-are’s-don’t-look-like-chillis for value and overall ratings! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Weekend Warrior
from jessup pa
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Componets are great for the money, Climbs awesome! HYDRO BRAKES! | | Weaknesses: | RS SID SL, wet noodle for heavy people. Front deraileur, seatpost with shim. | | Similar Products Used: | Gt xcr-5000, demoed fuel 90 disc. | | Bike Setup: | shorter stem, riser bar, chris king wheelset that came with bike, looking for a new fork. | | Bottom Line: | The bike climbs great! The suspension is harsh if set up to reccomended setting, but the way i have it set up now is great. It only bobs when i have the gear set to low and cranking hard. When I shift up, it disappears. When i first rode this bike on the trail, I wanted my gt back, but since i tweaked the shock, it works great. I cannot believe how this bike climbs. Its designed for XC, not jumping 6 foot drops. Whats's also great is that your options are opening up for a rear shock. Cane creek is now making shocks for the NRS. Disc brakes make alot of noise when wet, but still stop on a dime, hard to get use to the stopping power. If you don't mind a little harsher ride than a single pivot cadallac, this bike is great. Its tough on a GT idrive convert to ride, but once its set up to your specs, its great. The reccomnded settings just get you started, tweak it and its great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monster 9
a Weekend Warrior
from Ct
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | OSC | | Strengths: | Great value,good looks, climbs well, NRS | | Weaknesses: | Broke 99 and 2000 frame, problem with rear shock welds, has since been fixed. Rear suspension harsh | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar, Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Avid mechanicals, Psylo SL 100mm, Spinergy Xyclones, EA 50 riser, Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for its intended purpose, xc. You can't beat the value. Play with rear shock pressures to dial it in the way you like it. The frame is easily dented, I had a brake lever go through the top tube as a result of an endo. A viable racer with some upgrades. Pedals like a hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from College Station
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I posted the first NRS1 review on this forum for the 2002 version. After 6 months the strengths remain the same. Solid Value. | | Weaknesses: | Cheezy front derailleur. A little heavy at approx. 27lbs. Delicate paint. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with shortened bars and a new chain. | | Bottom Line: | Despite the scathing reviews from a few who are not Giant fans, I find this bike to be delightful. It is not the lightest dual springer, but it is not unduly heavy considering its hydraulic disks. However, this bike is fast. Credit to the efficient NRS system and low rolling resistance Pythons. It is also not a plush ride, so those looking for a Cadillac best look elsewhere. In fact, it is easy to forget you are riding full suspension until the bumps get big and frequent. Naturally, transitioning from a hardtail has been a cinch. Now for those who are weight weenies or parts prima donnas, it’s a mixed bag. There is some good and some bad but plenty of room for upgrades. If you are that type, the NRS Air might be a good choice, or you can always build up one of these top-notch frames.
The Pythons are great tires. The more I ride them, the better I like them. For everything but the muddiest or sandiest terrain, these work remarkably well. Despite their lack of outright aggressiveness, the do most things well. My only wish is fore more aggressive side lugs, as cornering can be dicey when it’s loose.
The brakes are top notch, with no maintenance needed so far. Even the saddle has given me no reason to trade it in.
All that and the 2002 color scheme is great looking. My only complaint is that the paint is wearing where the cables contact it.
My opinion remains unchanged. Five flaming whats-its.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Tunque
a Cross Country Rider
from Pomona
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Claremont Wilderness Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great suspension and you get a lotof bike for your money. | | Weaknesses: | Can't find one yet! | | Similar Products Used: | GT iDrive, Trek, Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Stock to the bone until I recoup the money I spent buying the bike. | | Bottom Line: | After an extensive research, I decided on the NRS 1 because of the amount of bike you get for your money. I wanted a full suspension bike, with disc brakes and tubeless tires. For my money, this was the best deal.
As for the performance, I am just amazed on how it climbs the hills. It is not the lightest bike, but it seems light enough going up steep hills. Also, after finally setting up the suspension for my size, I did not feel any "Bobbing" while pedaling either sitting down or standing up. It felt like a hard tail during the ascent. When it was time to get full use of the suspension during the descent, you could feel the suspension soak in the bumps. With the "No sag rear suspension," you have the full travel of the rear shock.
The bottom line is, I highly recommend this bicycle to anyone who wants to get a lot for their money and at the same time, get a high performance bike. Happy Trails! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan Smit
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Cycle in Pickering | | Strengths: | Great suspension design, fairly lightweight, asthetics are top notch | | Weaknesses: | Defect with the SID SL that came with my bike | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 2, 1999 Gary Fisher Joshua F1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except XTR rear Der, XT front Der, Easton Monkeylite 1" carbon riser bar, XTR shifter/lever pods, Avid mechanical disc brakes 2002 version, Avid flack jacket cables. | | Bottom Line: | A great riding/handling bike. Honestly the best handling bike I have ever had. My biggest complaint was that the SID SL that my bike came with developed some serious play the first ride out, it felt as thought the bushing were completely worn but of course this was not the case. I stopped riding it and took it back to the shop the first chance I had. Hats off to Bay Cycle in Pickering who had me out the door the same night with a replacement fork. After getting the bike back and setting up my new fork all is well and it rides like a dream. I've only had the bike a short while so I'll keep you posted on any other issues or raves. I've given the bike 5 flaming maggots for value because the shop I bought from was nice enough to allow me to swap out the hydraulic hayes brakes for all of the extra goodies I've listed in my bike setup (excluding the carbon bar, that was off my last bike). The hydraulic brakes felt really nice but I had avid mechanicals on my last bike and they performed flawlessly so I figured I'd swap them for the hayes and have a ton of cash to upgrade some other stuff. PS: the tubeless tires are pretty cool too, first time I have ever used this technology and I can definitely feel the difference on technical climbs, don't really notice the difference otherwise though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Team Shu
a Weekend Warrior
from Aptos (Santa Cruz), CA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Nisene Marks State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Trip | | Strengths: | Light weight (for the package), brakes, NRS system, SID suspension is OK, very good package out of the box! | | Weaknesses: | Not much, just nickel/dime stuff already stated to change makes it that much better! | | Similar Products Used: | None, just researched packages: Trek Fuels, Specialized FSR XC Disc, Santa Cruz Superlight. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Easton Monkey Lite high rise (1½ in.) bars. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is an excellent ride for this 6 ft., 190 pounder! Where I tend to ride the most starts out with fairly mild inclines with about a 10% grade (600 ft. gain in altitude in 1¼ mi.) thrown in about ¾ of the way through (Great downhill!). The bike climbs with no hint of having suspension until you hit bumps and performs excellent on the way down. I’m still toying around with the suspension settings so it can only get better. After some fine tuning the rear end shifts flawlessly and though I do agree that the front derailleur is not the best, it can wait until it needs replacing to upgrade (same with the shifter pods).
The tires suit the conditions I ride in pretty well but I think I will go with some more aggressive knobs, also at replacement time. The brakes did make quite a bit of noise initially but quieted down to nothing after break-in and work great, I’m glad I went ahead with a disc system as opposed to a standard V brake. The chain does seem to clack around a lot on the chain stay on down hills so I installed a protector on the chain stay and may go ahead and remove a couple of links after it stretches some. I guess my only “complaint” would be that when I release pressure on the negative side of the fork for adjustment some of the grease oozes out and makes a bit of a mess (Anyone else see this?).
So, while there are definitely better bikes on the market and $2,000 is a heck of a load of cash to spend on a bike, I don’t think you will find a better package for the money. You could build a Santa Cruz or buy an NRS Air and have a better/lighter bike but you’d also be out another $1,200-$1,500. Me? I’ll take the Giant (Sacrilegious I guess since I do live in Santa Cruz!) and pocket the extra cash.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R. A. Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Conyers Olympic Course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1999.00 | | Purchased At: | A. J. Barnes | | Strengths: | Very quick acceleration, very little power loss due to bobbing. Brakes very well with good modulation. 9 speed rear end. | | Weaknesses: | chain suck, or chain bouncing off of crank ringset on "jackhammer" downhills. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2, Mongoose DR40, Pacific 2100 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with exception of handlebars. Switched to Titec HB.
I used a little different pressure set up than Giant or RockShox recommends. Shortened chain to prevent it from bouncing off on downhills. | | Bottom Line: | I'm a big guy, 6' 4" 215lbs. I wanted a bike that could take some abuse and a very strong set of legs. My old Mongoose Full Suspension was a steel frame ( I thought this would be tougher than an aluminum bike) after about three months, if I tried to power up a hill it would shift out of the gear I was in. This drove me insane...I tried to correct it, and the LBS tried to fix it. We finally determined that the rear swing arm assembly was flexing when i would pedal hard and put the rear sprockets out of alignment with the front chainring.
I had gotten to the point of not wanting to ride anymore. Wrenching on a bike every ride is not the way to go.
I did a lot of research and lot of test riding, and I found this bike to be the best for the money.
On the first ride the bike performed well for the first few miles. The SID in the front is a little sluggish cornering (due to a little flex). On a couple of downhills, the chain bounced off of the chainring set. On a long uphill this bike ghost shifted...I wanted to pick the bike up and throw it down into the canyon! Aftera few minutes of cooling down and getting my blood pressure down to a respectable level, my riding buddy informed me that the cables had stretched and broke in.
before my next ride I adjusted the shifting cables, shortened the chain and rode again. THE BIKE PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY!!
Since then I have put about 150 miles of very intense riding on this bike. It has not given me a moments problem, and I feel like i'm riding a Ferrari compared to my old Bronco. It accelerates unbelievably fast and stops very smoothly and controlled. On the uphills,I'm in higher gears than ever before and i'm standing on the pedals to get up the hills, the bike never complains....it just goes.
I have found joy in riding again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garnet
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Moose Packer's | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ridley's Cycle | | Strengths: | Light weight, Sid SL, Hayes Disks, Mavic UST. Excellent spec for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Seat post sucks ->noticable flex in shim system
Brakes are noisy. Rebound on rear SID is a bit of a pain. All the adjustment happens within about 1/16th of a turn. Once it's set, leave it alone, as it's hard to get it perfect in such a small range! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 Disk, SantaCruz Superlight, Iron Horse ARS900 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with XT splined crank, rings & BB, XT front derailleur, XT shifters, Thompson Seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This is a nice, light weight FS XC bike. My Iron Horse hardtail with XTR, Judy SL weighed about 24 lbs, NRS1 weighs about 26.5 lbs, but way nicer ride! Brakes howl a bit, but perform great. Suspension is easy to adjust, and very responsive. Stock seatpost was disappointing, as it flexed quite a bit under my weight (145 lbs!). Once I tossed it & the shim, and used a 30.8mm Thompson, it was great! A little wider adjustment range on the rear SID's rebound would be nice, but overall, I'm very happy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago Area
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | not telling :) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Zims Bike shop | | Strengths: | The bike in its self, the set up is sweet, all name brand comp. at a low price. Both shokes work great together. The brakes are the greatest. Talk about stoping on a dime. the tubles is nice, but its going to take some getting use to. | | Weaknesses: | I have haf troubles with the front d. I did a curp jump and it sliped in to the chain. Taking it back to LBS to have it adjusted. Also seems like the rear shock is not holding the air pressure, not sure yet | | Similar Products Used: | Fuels, sugers | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | CAN NOT BEAT IT! The bike looks so good, and rides even better. Weights in at 27lbs, kinda heavy but my buddys trek 8500 disk if the same weight.I have taken it off road 3 times on some local trails with only the listed problems, the true test is coming. We are going to Colorado for 5 days, looking to put about 120 off road miled on it then, so i'll update the review and let u all know. As for not this bike is the best and Worth every cent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jorge
a Cross Country Rider
from Jalisco, Mexico
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is a complete packages. You cannot go wrong with the NRS System, wheels, brakes, suspension, ect.. | | Weaknesses: | The only weakness that I noticed were the derailleurs so upgraded to XTR rear and XT front. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 90 | | Bike Setup: | The changes I made were the derailleurs and I swapped the SID forks with the BLACK Elite 80-100..too many bad experiences with RockShox forks. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is you cannot get a better bike for the price. Especially for me, this was my first full suspension bike. I didn't want to make the change from hardtail to full suspension for a long time but I was tired of being left behind by my buds. I did my homework on many crosscountry full suspension bikes: Giant, Gary Fisher, Trek, Cannondale and Specialized. All these bikes are great but for the price and what you get I felt that the Giant was the right choice. Also, I got a killer deal on my NRS1. This bike kicks ass in the nasty terrain here in Mexico. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Alonso
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami Beach, FL
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Incredibly light, brakes are killer, amazing suspension | | Weaknesses: | Front deraileur has given me a head ache or two, but nothing a good tune up can't fix (so far at least). A problem that might get worse is gear skipping when applying torque on steep climbs - taken some falls because of this! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek - but not so similar | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | The bike kicks! - only used it for a bit over a month, but can't wait to ride again after a day of riding. Really good bike but so far seems like you have to be on top of your upkeep otherwise it will punish you. Must keep that chain nice and clean!
Can't be more satisfied. Bang for buck it is just about the best you can get in this category. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arnold Nagy
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wayne National Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1480.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | SID shox front and back, Hayes Hydraulic Brakes, NRS system, Beautiful looks. The feel to it after new handlebars and stem! The smooth and quietness of the whole system. Weight is good. | | Weaknesses: | The frame seems week to the touch, I haven't seen much dammage, but I can see how it would warp. Paint job is also not the best, because it easily chips off. Handlebars, and stem is just pathetic. Deore Shifter. Only 80mm on front shock! Rip off | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn S10 Carbon Fiber, Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | I switched a few things such as the handlebars and the stem to Titec Hellbent, and Titec Big Al 135mm length 0 angle. The crank set is Specialized Strongarm, beautiful!!! Oversized seat post: Richey | | Bottom Line: | Yes, the bottom line is that this bike just kicks too much ass. Value rating, I will take off some points because by no means should a bicycle cost more then 300 dollars. It just doesnt make sense for it to be more!!! But I am stupid and I gave in. Now that I have it, I am oversatisfied with it. I took it out to a muddy forest where the path is designed for dirt bikes, and unlike my previous Schwinn S10, this bike barely cloged up. I am planing to by fiber optic Ride ON cables which will eliminate up to 70% of the friction. Also, since it is sealed, it wont clog even in mud. Before I go, I just want to say that this bike has the smoothest feeling to it. My suggestion is: Get It. Now comes the show off: I have broken my nose, never went to the hospital. I have broken my right colar bone, never went to the hospital, I have broken my left colar bone, this time I did go to the hospita... WUSSY!, I fractured about 2-3 ribs, and got life time scars. Can you top that? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe E
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgewater, nj
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cranford, nj | | Strengths: | Climbing. This bike climbs real well. Shocks are great. front is super sweet. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals. (time Alium) These stink. Butter to get in, a pain to get out. Previous pedal shimano. The whole set up for getting out of the time is bad. It will not get better. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Comes loaded. See Set up. Changed the handle bars to riser bars and changed front derail to xt. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike for the money. Gave it a good beating so far and all is well. Nothing has failed on the bike yet. Disk brakes are excellent. A little loud sometimes, but not bad. Rapid fire is sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ekvis Karate
a Cross Country Rider
from Kalamazoo, MI USA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Portage Schwinn | | Strengths: | Great value package. I love the saddle. | | Weaknesses: | Front deraileur, Bottom bracket, seat post, but they had to do something to keep the cost down and I think Giant made the right choices. | | Similar Products Used: | (recent) Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Not Stock. Euro frame with 2 shock positions, cantilevers, 959 pedals, Crossmax tubeless, Sach 8 speed shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the NRS 1 then sold the frame and bought a frame set so I could run cantis. The frame has 2 postions. I am currently running the 3.75' travel. I love the bike. I am faster for 2 reasons I am riding and pedaling trough crap I had to stand up for before and am bombing down hills.
The bad: this bike does not climb as well as my hardtail, it is really easy for me to break the rear end loose. I get chain rub when really pushing. The fork is a little too flexy. The front end tends to wash out on me but could be the pythons. And do not brake when in rough stuff or down hill or the rear kicks like my wife when I ask if she put on weight. I am still dialing in the suspension but am pretty close. I have done some long rides and don't mind the extra weight to save getting beat on. I know I puts some rips in but I would by this bike again in a heartbeat over anything else I have ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Whittingham
a Cross Country Rider
from Swampscott, MA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | ATA Cycles - Cambridge, MA | | Strengths: | Rear Shock Absorption System is SWEET!;
SID front & rear shocks;
Hayes Disc Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Stock parts are this and that - all XT would have been nice;
Cheap chain - broken twice in 5 XC rides;
Saddle too hard for daily commute but fine for XC; | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS-3; Diamondback XTR; Gary Fisher Sugar 3; Whatever I've borrowed | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for saddle, grips, pedals | | Bottom Line: | SWEET RIDE! LIGHT, FAST, RESPONSIVE - a true XC racing bike for those of us in the under $2K club. After a few hundred miles on the bike in XC and road conditions, the rear-shock absorption system (or whatever they call it) works great. This bike loves to climb. Can't wait to tear-up a few hill courses this year.
Replace the chain, the seat, the grips, and think about upgrading to all XT or XTR. I like the tubeless - normally would have had a flat or two by now, but am worried about repairing in a race??
This might just be the best race-ready bike for $2,000 on the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ED DAMAGE
a Cross Country Rider
from SYDNEY
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | LANE COVE/PENNANT HILLS | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | cycology galdesville | | Strengths: | awesome bang for bucks
great standard set up( just take it out of the box and go for it!)
fast as hell | | Weaknesses: | dodgy front deraileur
frame easily damaged
sid 80mm forks are good but not for any hardcore downhill bits
My Hayes disc brakes have been pretty disappointing at times
| | Similar Products Used: | Scott fx25, Giant nrs2, jekyll 800, Kona Bear, Kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I weigh 100 kg and the nrs suspension works a treat even with fat boy here on it. I run the rear sus at 250psi and it still feels remarkably responsive to even small undulations whilst not bobbing much even on steep inclines. I'm really ,really happy with the sid forks too, the total adjustability and the lock out feature are sweet, especially if you like to try and bunnyhop yourself into the stratosphere with a few psi adjustments.
I'm happy with the seat- not the best i've used but definately not uncomfortable. I would have preferrd riser handlebars for some of the downhill stuff I do but I guess that isnt who this bike is aimed at.
bits and pieces are all great for the price( except I dont appreciate the front deraileur that everyone else seems to have had trouble with. I would have paid extra for the better parts if I knew how bizarre some of my front shifts were going to be.
I had a huge problem with the Hayes Hydro brakes. It took me two months, 2 sets of bads and half a dozen trips to the bike shop( and weeks without my new toy) to sort the brakes out. They came out of the box with t he pin in the piston bent but everything is sorted now except for the god almighty noise they make(especially when wet) but I'll take the noise anyday for the awesome stopping power and control you get.
BOTTOM LINE - awesome bike, great components magic suspension . If you look around you can pick up some awesome deals on this one.
P.S the guys at my local Bike shop CYCOLOGY in Gladesville were awesome.Totally helpfull. Go in and check them out(or just stand there and watch their bmx videos like i do.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Twine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bassendean
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helena Valley south/anything steep rocky and uphill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | Excellent front end ie Rock Shox SID SL/Hayes Hydraulic, Rear suspension that does what they say it does. Good stock set up. | | Weaknesses: | Deore pods and front deraileur - changed to XT and I don't like tubeless tyres | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode briefly almost everything I could get my hands on. | | Bike Setup: | Changed the front deraileur and shifters to XT and the 'bars to PD "Tenacious" risers (better for the neck)and changed the tyres to tubes and Velociraptors. Otherwise stock. I also train on the road during the week and use a second wheelset with slicks. | | Bottom Line: | I was fairly well convinced that I wanted a hardtail and went Oh so close to buying the SE1. Problem was that to change the SE1 to the same spec as the NRS1 I would have paid an extra US$400. So I got them both out the back of the bike shop, set them up as close as I could to suit me and rode them alternately for an hour, 10 minutes each bike, swap & so on. It wasn't long before I realised that the only difference was the awesome braking on the NRS and that it was also just that little bit more comfy on the bum. Saved myself 400 and got a bike that climbs and runs over the really rough stuff like a goat. I love it. Brakes are great, rear suspension is the go and the front end never gets unstuck. I ride on the raod during the week for a couple hours a day and have no trouble keeping up with the roadys on it - well mostly anyway.
Also got a great deal from the bike shop with the second wheelset and the upgraded bits for less than the retail price of the bike only. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Dedman
a Cross Country Rider
from Lenoir, NC
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali, Catawba Riverfront, Hobbie Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Clark Bicycle in Hickory, NC | | Strengths: | Great parts spec for the money. Great suspension. Disc brakes and tubeless tires. Fast handling bike. | | Weaknesses: | Front Deore derailuer. Finicky front brake requires pads to be reset if wheel has been off. This takes about 3-5 minutes. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 1. Diamondback V-8. K2 Razorback Team Sl. Specialized FSR. Ellsworth Truth XC. Kona King Kikapu. Superlight hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I changed pedals to Eggbeaters for weight savings. My bike came with XT hubs and crank from the factory with no extra charge. The dealer said there had been some problems so Giant said to go with XT. This was a pleasant surprise when the bike arrived. | | Bottom Line: | Truly does not bob, but it sucks up the terrain. Climbs and feels like a hardtail until you get in the rough stuff. Fork lockout is also nice. It won't respond to little stuff as well as Truth or Specialized, but those bikes (or any other) can't touch this one when it comes to efficient power transfer. The tubeless tires are super fast and provide awesome traction. I run around 28lbs with no problems and they hold air well. These tires also take care of the small bumps well. The bike shifts well, but I will change to an XT front der. Hayes brakes are super strong yet easy to use. The bike is just under 26lbs(small frame) as is. I am faster on this bike than any bike I have had. The bike also looks really cool. I don't see how you can go wrong if you like fast XC riding/racing. If you want something to put around on or something super cushy look for something else. The faster you ride the more you will like this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne Jordan
a
from Hayward
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | just gettin away | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | cals bicycle | | Strengths: | suspension design,great climber ,still the best value tubless tires | | Weaknesses: | hubs and deore front derailer | | Similar Products Used: | hardtail Giant | | Bike Setup: | stock well except race face lowriser bar and stem xy seatpost and an xt front derailer | | Bottom Line: | The bike climbs probally better than by hard tail because the suspension helps to keep me on line over small bumps with minimal loss of power. The no bob thing really works!
The upgrades Ive done so far were mostly because i already had the parts for a bike i was going to put together.The only thing Giant cheaped out on was the Hubs (formula)the bike is in the shop right now after only 4 months will not free wheel.I tried to get Giant to credit me for an upgrade but no chance well worth a try.I'm disapointed with formula more than giant. bottom line think about getting the Nrs air (if you can find it )with crossmax wheels or forking out for a new wheel set later | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern,CA. USA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Chimney | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Gang | | Strengths: | This bike is one of the few that off the showroom floor is nerly perfect. You cannot get a better parts package and awesome frame for anywhere near this price. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing I would have changed in assembly at the factory for the overall package was to install an XT front derailleur. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel, Jekyll,FSR | | Bike Setup: | Had the local BS change the front derailleur to XT. Otherwise I am very happy. It fits me well | | Bottom Line: | This bike starts out with an excellent overall package that can't be beat. It is the most incredible ride I have ever felt. It sucks up the bumps, bunny hops like a dream and makes you ride faster. My riding buddies couldn't keep up with me I had to slow down. I am going to race it in less than a month and I think it will do just fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Cross Country Rider
from fall river,ma
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | good value parts for the price | | Weaknesses: | The only weekness I though was the front deraileur wich i'm going to change to an xt.only gave it a tune up after the third week of ridding it.From the start make sure that you go over every bolt on the bike to make sure its tight after the second ride out the pivot bolt on the bottom in back of the chain ring loosend up after I tightend it I havent had it loosen again.This is common when you first get it because i've heard this fom other people also. | | Bike Setup: | stock except pro taper 1 inch risers and bontrager race lite seat | | Bottom Line: | I've put over forty hours on it and love it you just have to take it out the first time and try different air pressures and the rebound in the suspention until you get it where you are comftable.This is the first bike i've owned with tubeless tires and disk brakes and i'm very satified. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilroy, CA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lime Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1785.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes | | Strengths: | Suspension is great for a 200 pounder like me. Hayes disc brakes perfect , stop on a dime. Shifters work perfect for me. Seat: it is the most comfortable seat I have tried, I was very surprised because it did look like others that i have replaced.
Tubless tires are easy to take off the rim and replace...with no tools, if you have strong hands.
| | Weaknesses: | If you are looking to buy, make sure the groupo is what meets your needs. No crying about wanting XTR later.
If XT is OK then GO FOR IT! Also Tubless Tires??? Well if you are really going to race with low presure then O. K But if you are not... just put a tube in.
There is no single standard for Tubless tires so tire selection might be limited for a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | I own a 95 A1 ground control comp. Let me recall the quote from MT Bike Magazine " the worst full suspention design ever built."
| | Bike Setup: | Added nite rider lite for those midnight rides and wirless computer. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is perfect for me. For you? Ride and see. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cap
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgewater, NJ
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hartshorne | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Morris Aaron in Elizabeth,NJ | | Strengths: | excellent components:SID SL with lockout, Hayes hydralics, XT rear cassette, derailleur, and hubs; great design:nrs system does exactly what it says it will. I'm going over stuff I've avoided in the past. It inspires confidence. | | Weaknesses: | The chain is too long; I had a major problem my first ride where I spun the rear derailleur almost 360 because the chain got caught up; had to walk back. A friend of mine had a similar problem the first ride also. Take 4 links out before you ride the first time unless you like walking your new bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock NRS-1: there's nothing I'd change. That says a lot about this bike. | | Bottom Line: | I've been wanting the Giant NRS-1 since a friend of mine got his in 2000. Another buddy got his last summer, but I'm glad I waited until 2002. The 2002 has so many improvements over the 2001 it's definitely worth the wait: Splined bottom bracket, Rock Shox SID SL with lockout, XT hubs, even the seat is better - I don't need to change it. Hell, I even like the paint better. If you've been waiting to buy this bike,wait no more. This is the future of full suspension. I've been out four times and I'm a better, more confident rider already. I can't imagine any hardtail rider going back to his/her hardtail after riding this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Berryman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Alpine Shop | | Strengths: | NRS suspension & SID sl fork & shock, once they were properly adjusted. Hayes disk brakes of course. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap shifter pods & front der. | | Similar Products Used: | (tested)Sugar 2, Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except 90mm stem (shifters & front der. to be disposed of shortly) | | Bottom Line: | NRS works Great! Climbs like a rigid but,it's hard to remember where all the stuff that used to beat me up on a hardtail went? Happy to get a DS cross country bike that stands up to a 200+ lb. rider.$$$ for air suspension(sid sl) are worth it to be able to tune a bike for what this industry considers clydesdale range with just a pump. If it weren't for a couple of sub par components(see above),it would be 5/5. overall it's still a 5. It's a lot easier to fork over a few bucks for a couple of parts rather than an extra $1200 for an Air.
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Submitted by
Rosco Richter
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | Roswell Cycles | | Strengths: | Very ridged frame, fantastic frame. Rear suspension is true to the 'no bob' technology. You won't get sea-sick while riding this baby. It rides like a hardtail until you truly need the suspension.
The Hayes disc breaks have been fantastic too. This baby climbs and decends down anything with ease.
The tubeless tires are nice, just be sure to Slime those bad boys. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy, I had mine weighed at the store at exactly 27lbs, but you can shave off at least a pound with upgrades. the NRS air is 25lbs, but $1200 more, so you decide.
Only a Deore front derailure, it should at least be LX. The stock tubeless tire tread that mine came with were complete crap, I made them change the tire tread or I wouldn't buy the bike, so they gladly changed it.
Position of the cables tends to rub the paint off in a few places, which is a shame.
I thought the sadle was quite a bit uncomfortable, I'm thinking of changing it to a softer one | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a Jekyll, and a Stumpjumper. Jekyll bobs way too much, and stumpjumper was nice and light, but it felt a bit weak. | | Bike Setup: | I'm a 6'0, 160lbs rider, so don't need all that much preasure in the rear shock. It's setup nicely for whatever weight you are. Since you are running tubeless, you can run at a lower tire preasure for additional traction without worrying about pinch flats. | | Bottom Line: | This is a fantastic bike for the money. If you are in the $2000 price range, you can't go wrong with this purchase if you are an avid rider. It's a big step up from my old hardtail ride. I often do rides on weekends of at least 25 miles, and this bike makes every inch of those rides a pleasure.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stinky Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco, Schaefer, Gambrils, and good ol Great Falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | *Great climber!
*Fast Downhill!
*Incredible Braking!
*No-Bob Works!
*SID SL Forks!
Bang-For-The-Buck!
UST System with the Pythons!
Light! | | Weaknesses: | *Chain slaps the frame on medium+ bumps...getting a sleeve this week.
*Should not have LX components in this bike range. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2, Jekyll 800, FSR XC Disk, Fuel 90 Disk | | Bike Setup: | Replaced the shift pod and front derailleur with XT, and the rear derailleur with XTR. Everything else is stock and GREAT! | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides great and is a super buy. If you are a Performance Bike member, you get 10 bucks back for every 100 you spend, so I started off with 180 bucks off the great deal they offered. Only thing is that you don't get much "love" like you do at the LBS (they did not have experience with the no-sag system, so I was on my own).
I have been out 3 times since so far. The first ride to get things dialed in, and the next 2 to let it go. Coming from an old hard tail, the NRS 1 gives me all of the things I love about my old bike, and takes away all the things I hate. It climbs like a hardtail, but lets me let it all hang out on the rutted, rooty, rocky descents that are common in Maryland and Northern Virginia. I have read about how the suspension works and it sounds like a bunch of marketing hype...however, once you get on the trails, it works exactly as advertised.
Okay, bottom line, for 1,650 bucks I got a well designed and well built FS frame, Hayes Disk Brakes (wow!), tubeless tires (also wow!), raceface cranks, Mavic rims on XT hubs, XT shifter and front derailleur, XTR rear derailleur, SID SL shocks (the fork tuning works like a charm), SID rear shocks, Rocket V saddle, Titec stem and bar. There is not a better deal for a better bike anywhere...(well, except for my buddy who picked up a new, last year's specialized s-works fsr xc for 1,800 bucks).
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Submitted by
TODD PORTEOUS
a Cross Country Rider
from FREMONT, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | BIKE CONECTION | | Strengths: | NO BOB ON THE CLIMBS, HAYES DISC, SID FRONT/REAR, TUBELESS TIRES | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | TREK FUEL, FSR, GT-I DRIVE | | Bike Setup: | STOCK EXCEPT FOR A SET OF MONKEY LITE SL CARBON 3/4 RISERS | | Bottom Line: | IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BIKE THAT CLIMBS LIKE A HARDTAIL, BUT DESENDS LIKE A SUSPENSION BIKE, CHECK THIS BIKE OUT. AFTER YOU SET THE SUSPENSION UP USING THE MANUAL FOR AS STARTING POINT THIS BIKE DELIVERS AS ADVERTISED. I LOVE THE HAYES DISC'S, MAVIC RIMS, HUTCHENSON PYTHON TUBELESS TIRES, AND RACEFACE CRANKS. IF I REPLACE ANYTHING I MIGHT UPGRADE THE FRONT DERAILER LX, AND THE SHIFTERS ALSO LX, BUT OTHER THAN THAT THE BIKE IS PERFECT. IT IS NOT A FREERIDE BIKE BUT IT WILL GIVE YOU 3" OF TRAVEL IN THE FRONT, AND ALMOST 4' OF TRAVEL IN THE REAR. GIANT DID THIER HOMEWORK, AND FOR $ 1800.00 I FEEL LIKE IT WAS A GREAT DEAL. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Racer
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Cycle Sports | | Strengths: | Amazing no-bob suspension really works! Hayes hydraulics kick, SID fork is really sweet, UST tires are great. | | Weaknesses: | Mismatched components, the front derailer (Deore) is not good enough for such a high end bike. Little heavy, but the way the bike handles compensates for that no prob. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90, Fisher Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This review is just a demo review, but I will be posting another review soon as I am buying this sweet rig. It's a really great value-oriented bike that can be used for racing and aggressive trail riding, it's very strong. Yo ucan't get a better bike for the money. Since I am in the process of buying this bike and my setup will be with XTR rear derailer and XT up front. Other than that, i don't think your need to upgrade anything else. An overall excellent racing/riding machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bud
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | University Cycles, Boulder | | Strengths: | Climbing performance, brakes, value | | Weaknesses: | Wheels. Cant seem to get near full travel when set up correctly for "No Bob" | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive, Zaskar, Titus Switchblade, Specialised FSR, Santa Cruz Superlight, Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Stock with new wheels, Mavic 317's on American Classic disc hubs. | | Bottom Line: | The bike climbs like a goat. This thing is perfect for someone interested in long XC rides who does not do big drops and extreme stuff.
You would be hard pressed to find a better value at $2000. All the important components (frame/brakes/fork) are first rate. The comprimises were made with the stuff that's easy and relatively inexpensive to replace (shifters/F. Derailer, Post etc.)
As mentioned above, I cant get even close to full travel when the rear suspension is set up for "no bob" The only way I have been able to get near full travel out of the rear is to run a lower + air setting or to run the - air setting equal to the +. Either way, I get a plush ride but a fair amount of bobbing. Anyone else have that problem?
Also, after about 2 months, the rear freehub mechanism bit the dust. The thing freewheels in both directions! This is being taken care of under warranty. I am told these are standard Taiwaneese made Formula hubs and have heard of similar stories. Note that I am only 170lb and pretty easy on equipment.
The wheels are the definately the weak link on the bike. the tubless is fantastic but 24 spokes F/R seems a little too little, I would have prefered 32 with the slight weight penalty. After I got the bike home from the shop I also noticed several nipples had been rounded off from the factory, I assume these were hastily built by machine. The wheels are still running true however.
The paint/finish work was a little rough but I took the suspension apart and was suprised to find bearings at all the pivots except at the Horst Link which had bushings. Quality stuff, Giant spent the $$ on the pivots and wisely left the pretty stuff for the botique brands.
I have also been impressed with the SID-SL fork. The thing is very smooth for a sub 3lb air sprung fork.
The bottom line is a great riding bike at a very good price. If you do a lot of climbing and are not looking for plush long travel suspension take a good look at the NRS 1. If you do a lot of riding where it's pretty rough, I would look elsewhere though. I had the bike in Phoenix, AZ for a few weeks and it was not up to the task like my old I-drive. In Colorado where the trails are steep and not too rough the thing is perfect, I'll never ride a hardtail again.
4 and 4 because a 2 month old bike should not strand you on the trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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