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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Warehouse | | Strengths: | Light weight, quality build, good parts | | Weaknesses: | It came with Mosquito tires, and they wore out very quickly. None other than that. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | 100% stock, execpt for IRC Serac tires. | | Bottom Line: | For the light weight and quality parts this bike came with, it was a great deal. I've abused this thing like crazy and nothing has yet to give. I'll admit, I've ridden nicer bikes that cost a lot more than this one and this one is just as good.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Los
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterford, MI
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake Rec. Area | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Nice XC weight, stiff for climbs and nimble carver. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp 97 | | Bike Setup: | XTR groupo, Rock Shox Duke Race '02, S Works Hubs(Hugi)w/Mavic 517, Michellin Rubber, TiTec X Wing post, Titec fat head ti stem and bar, Bontrager race bar ends, Shimano 747 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I picked this frame because of the price to value ratio. The frame is choice if you like to hammer climbs in the saddle. The beefy rear triangle is solid! My Specialized was recently retired and I couldn't pass up the price for the frame($250). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MissyCalimba
a Cross Country Rider
from nc
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | all star | | Strengths: | Light, holds up good for me though im 110 pounds but i do alot of drops and jumps with it. By the way this is a review for the frame. Nice handling | | Weaknesses: | Not super strong. I'm scared of doing the bigger drops with the bike. I use my friends bike for that. | | Similar Products Used: | Iguana frame | | Bike Setup: | Duke Race, XTR front and rear, LX crank, SD Ti brakes, Raceface bashguard, deore shifters (ones kinda messed up) python and roll-x tires | | Bottom Line: | I've crashed done 4 foot drops onto cement and done big jumps and it still holding up great without any dents. though i am a light rider at 110 pounds. I think it is a great frame except im scared of doing drops bigger than four feet on this bike because im scared it might break. I use my friends bikes to do bigger things. Overall I think it is a nice light quick handling frame and I with Giant's outstanding parts selection I think it can't be beat for a 1000 dollar xc bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin Watson
a Cross Country Rider
from Cumming, GA 30040
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull Mtn. or Ag Center | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | This Is a Sick looking bike. It rides well. All of the components are holding up well so far... Also tthe bike is super light. Ithink that I got a good deal on it that may be part of why I like it so much. FAST!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | The Tires are the most god awful things I have ever seen. They are kind of sissy looking. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a schwinn mesa for a while then a Gary fisher. None of which compared to this bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. I will be changing out the front shock and tires very soon. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is off tha hizzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stan
a Weekend Warrior
from Syosset, NY
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | stillwell loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Love this bike! Climbs beautifully, descends and handles well. Light with a firm ride. I ride hard and it's taken everything I can throw at it. | | Weaknesses: | The mosquitos don't wear well, but otherwise, no complaints. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Where else are you going to get this much bike for a 1000 bucks? It just isn't going to happen. I felt very lucky to find the supposed last one in existence in a 19" frame. Recommende to anyone who takes their riding seriously. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ciro
a
from Vienna, VA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Light weight, good components, good climber. Looks great too! | | Weaknesses: | Mosquito tires absolutely suck, Race Face Prodigy bottom bracket broke after a month of use, I sent it in for a replacement and have not heard back from them (it has been 6 weeks). Titec X-Wing seat post comes loose every ride and creaks a lot. Shimano 505 pedals are not very good either. Although the shifters are LX have not had any problems. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for Panaracer Dart and Smoke tires and Oury grips. I will replace the seat post with a Thomson and Time Atac pedals immediately. Stem, shifters, and front der. will come later. | | Bottom Line: | Great frame, solid components. Great bike for the money, very light and great geometry. An all around great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a
from Tas, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | phantomcycles (the best) | | Strengths: | -Light
-Strong
-Looks pretty damn sweet (in my opinion)
-Climbs like a mountain goat on steroids
-PRICE!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | -None that I can find! | | Similar Products Used: | Old Trek 4500 trail bike
Heavy-as-hell Duallie | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, Speed Dial 7 levers, Carbon brake booster, Continental Explorer Pro tires. | | Bottom Line: | Fun bike to ride, light and nimble, just pick a line and hang on!!, rides extremely well for such a stiff frame.
I don't if it's just because I'm out on the bike more, or if it's the bike, but I'm climbing so much better now, and on the flats I'm pushing twice the gear I did before (at the same speed) so I must be going quicker!!!
Climbs like buggery, Bombs down hills pretty well for a 3.3lb frame,A very nimble trail/race bike. Great Fun!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barbara
a Weekend Warrior
from Brimingham, AL
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bob's Bikes | | Strengths: | Super light frame, excellent component grouping for the price, especially like the feel of the Rockshox Duck XC
The Mat Black Paint with Bright Yellow Lettering is very Sexy. Solid Feel, Climbs Well, Descends Well, Very responsive handling. | | Weaknesses: | Mosquito Tires - Maybe, They seem to wear quickly, and are not suited for the terrian I ride.
Shimano Chain HG-53 - Master link kept working loose after a few rides. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper M4 2002- 1st Runner Up, Nicer Frame, a few lesser components and $140 more. (I'm 5'2",120lbs Frame Wasn't a Factor)
Trek 8000 2002- A hair heavier than the Giant and Stumpjumper.
Trek 4500 2002-(My Old Bike) Not even in the same class, all three of the these bikes will eat it for lunch. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Cateye Mity 3, Barends and WTB Velociraptors Tires. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome Hardtail for the money. I started searching for a new bike, after I became completely frustrated with my Trek 4500 - 2002 model and upgrading components was going to be costly. The Trek was big 16.5",Alivio Didn't Shift properly and handle like a slug in comparison. (Lesson learned do your research, educated yourself on fit, riding preferences don't impluse buy!, a little research save time and money!) I wanted a light, reliable, and good climber and I found it in the SE2. Since purchasing this bike, my climbing has improved, I ride longer without fatigue, and I'm more confident on the trail. I personally love this little bike and it has made me a better rider. Try the Stumpjumper too. They both had a good feel and climb like the devil. SE2 won great component group, and awesome pice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a
from Krum, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | too hard to decide | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | strong but superlight frame, like the duke xc, like the avid brakes and the shimano components | | Weaknesses: | hutchinson mosquito tires wear too fast so i stuck with panaracer xc fire pro tires | | Similar Products Used: | giant rincon | | Bottom Line: | has to be the best hardtail for the money, awesome climber and descends well. this is my second giant and i'm loving it. i love the feel that a giant has. i strongly recommend this bike to anyone and everyone | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dannyboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Birdshill Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia Cycle & Ski (Henderson Hwy.) | | Strengths: | - Light frame
- Good looks (looks even better with a little mud on it)
- Great bang for the buck
- Love the Duke fork | | Weaknesses: | - I find the seat uncomfortable
| | Similar Products Used: | Test rode Cannondale F600 and F500 | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock, added a riser bar and bontrager bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This bike was definitly hot this year. I got the last one in my city with four different dealers all carrying Giant. I would have bought the XtC or the C-dale F600 but I just felt better on the Giant. That's basically what it came down to. This is my first "real" mountain bike and I am loving every ride. I always have a smile on my face when I ride this bike. It pedals well, shifts smooth and is super light! I would recommend this bike and my dealer to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SMASH
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Land btwn the LAkes, TN/KY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Schwinn dealer | | Strengths: | good parts, lightweight and fast, good climber, great bargain | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | GT Outback, GF Big Sur, Trek 8700 | | Bike Setup: | stock 'cept switched to IRC Mythos tires, and had 1" cut off of handlebar | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very sweet. Thanks to all of the previous posters who let me know that I needed to try this bike. I like it much more than the Gary Fishers, Treks, even a Specialized Stumpjumper M4. I almost went with the NSR2 - also very sweet, but $500 more, and regardless of the NSRs awesome ability to kill bob, etc., I prefer a hardtail. For the heavier riders - I'm 260 - put more air in the fork, it's fine. Steering much tighter after slightly shortening bar - original 23". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Poland, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Quarry Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Rainbow Bikes - Auburn, Maine | | Strengths: | Light weight, smooth ride, low price | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, Rolf Sattelite wheels, Thompson, Answer Pro-Taper | | Bottom Line: | When my GT RTS full-suspension frame broke, my bike shop attempted to get warrantee help from Pacific. No luck, so they worked a deal with Giant to get me a frame so cheap I can't mention the dollars. Suffice it to say my bike shop is awesome. I used my old components plus some lighter wheels. I can't believe how this thing climbs. It's like my road-race bike. And the ride is so close to my stiff RTS that I don't miss the rear shock at all. I forgot how much fun a good hartail is. Buy this bike - or just a frame and build your own. My shop sells the frame alone for $400. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lajoie mathieu
a Racer
from gatineau, quebec, canada
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | bromont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | cycles outaouais | | Strengths: | climbs xtremely good, shifts like a dream, built solid, durable race face xc crank set, very ligth bike, the lx and deore go toguether just super, and also great for downhill... | | Weaknesses: | mosquito as tires | | Similar Products Used: | trek 6700 | | Bike Setup: | changed the tires | | Bottom Line: | excellent bike, very recommanded, the price is just excellent for what you get... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$869.00 | | Strengths: | Nice fork, good components, superlight bike | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | gt avalanche, gt i-drive 4.0 | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock components | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line on this bike, is that it's a great deal for the money. For under a grand, I have searched for a bike that had better components for XC riding, and I couldnt find one. This light bike flys up the hills, and with the Duke XC fork descends comfortably. Thi bike has been great, I suggest anyone looking for a good XC ride to check it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Ste. Anne, MB Canada
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Monominto Pit | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1440.00 | | Purchased At: | Olyimpia Cycle and Ski | | Strengths: | Duke XC is actully very good, weight, Price, Looks, overall Componet selection all very impresive. | | Weaknesses: | Having derailer difficulties. Other then that nothing worth saying. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX 840 | | Bike Setup: | Duke XC, Decore LX, Race Face, Mavic, titec changed rear tire to a michelin lite S rear, took pedals off and put just alloy mountain bike regular pedals | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bike in snow, sand, mud, grass, pavement, uphill, downhill, through wind, with wind, and in just about any other way I could and and the Se2 came through with flying colours. I must say I love Duke XC on a couple of occaisions it has really saved my ass. needless to say the very light bike climbs better then I though I would ever be able to and I've taken her down some pretty steep hills and made it down efficiently thanks again to Duke. This bike moves well nice and light you can fly through trails, this certainly is the fastest bike I have ever rode. Who needs full suspension I feel very confident going into a race next month I treat this bike better then my girlfriend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Forbes
a Racer
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | techy singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$925.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclery Northside | | Strengths: | Can't emphasise enough - AWSSOME FRAME AND FORKS FOR PRICE. Also quality parts - Titec stem, seatpost and bar, Race Face Prodigy XC forged cranks. | | Weaknesses: | Thin walls on frame? | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000
Stumpjumper M4 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Python Airlight tyres | | Bottom Line: | I give you with the SE2 challenge: if you can find a complete bike with equal or higher quality frame and forks then buy it! The frame is identical to that on the SE1 (Giant's top dog HT) and the forks are on Trek and Specialized's 3000 plus (Aussie Dollar) race machines.
Components - Anyone shopping for a bike to last more than a year should be concentrating on frame and fork. The rest of the stuff wears out within that time. Gripes about hubs or groupsets are ligit, but why not just thrash them till you have enough money to upgrade? Plus, you wanna have a bike thats WORTH shoving XT's and 517's on. I was also really impressed with the Race Face crank and WTB saddle - they both really boosted the quality feel of the bike. Its like the saddle isnt even there when throwin your weight back and then sittin back down to clear steep tech.
The Ride - This bike shines in the most vital aspect of any steed. Not only is this bike lightweight on the scales (11kg), but it feels like its filled with helium on the trails. Whipping it through singletrack, clearing rocks and roots and flying up the hill on the other side is made easy. In races the bike seems to want to go faster than you. The plush dukes sloak up the small stuff like a spounge and bombs the big stuff with suprising ridgidity. The biek also offers a powerful stretched out race position that cries out for barends for some real leverage on the hills.
Weaknesses - The frame walls are tin-can thin, but how else could the frame be so light? If you tend to bounce your bike off a lot of rocks maybe you want to avoid this frame. Also, i haven't heard great thing about the mossies - Pythons kick ass!
THE BOTTOM LINE - I have been over the moon with the perofrmance of this bike both on rec rides, and in races. Eventually I'll replace some of the lower quality compnents, otherwise a kickass bike. I would recomend this bike to any semi serious rec or race rider...you won't be dissapointed
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gav theman
a Racer
from Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Dandenong | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$980.00 | | Purchased At: | CycleWorks | | Strengths: | Light ALUXX6013 frame,RaceFace cranks,Avid brakes,Duke XC fork,FSA headset...not much else really. Complete bike weighed 11.0kg or 24.2lbs for a 17in frame. | | Weaknesses: | Formula hubs are a tad heavy,Mavic X221 rims not strong enough for riders over 75kg. Aussie spec bikes come with Deore LX rear derailleur not XT,nasty Deore front derailleur. Bottom bracket is an unknown brand/model,Shimano M505 pedals are crap as I've already managed to bend one spindle after a few uphill sprints. Crappy Deore LX Shifters. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cindercone,Cannondale F500,Giant ATX 840,Avanti Aggressor. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano WHM-535 wheels,Continental Twister Supersonic 1.9 tyres,Dura-Ace 12-27 cassette,Easton EC70 carbon bar,VP-162 pedals,USE Alien Carbon seatpost,Selle Italia Flite TT saddle,XTR rear derailleur,XT front derailleur,XT shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Good entry level XC racing bike. But needs modifications to achieve the reliabilty needed on race day; first things to change are the wheels,tyres,pedals,derailleurs and shifters. Recreational enthusiasts should be happy with the stock bike setup. No other brand offered in Australia at this price(AUD$1999) offers such a light aluminium frame with a RockShox Duke XC fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FtHoodMtBkr
a Cross Country Rider
from Temple, TX
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Trailblazers | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | University Cyclery, Austin | | Strengths: | LIGHT frame, looks great, duke fork is plush, misquito tires do the job. | | Weaknesses: | Hubs look heavy, shimano chain, deorft derailler | | Similar Products Used: | trek 7000--finally tired of fixing it all the time. | | Bike Setup: | Swapped the 535 pedals for new Shimano 959 ? Best pedal! | | Bottom Line: | The Giant is great--no probs so far--the bike weighs in right at about 25 pounds. Looks great, feels good to ride, races well.
Pete
http://members.tripod.com/forthoodtrailblazers/ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benjamin Langley
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Majura | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Onya Cycles | | Strengths: | Looks the stuff with great demensions and cool colours. Great value for money with Race Face crank arms and Rock Shox Dukes! Light but strong frame. A complete package that other brands cannot match the bang for ya buck! | | Weaknesses: | Deore parts are a shame but they have made up for it where it counts with great forks and frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer, Cannondale and Avanti | | Bike Setup: | Buy and ride...thats it! but the 'air forks' need to be played with to make sure it feels right for your wieght | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that for the money is a good starter for all the weekend champions who want a racer but not need to stress the cost! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
levsie
a Racer
from concord, nh
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | trail 7 at killington | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$960.00 | | Purchased At: | waits ski and sport | | Strengths: | i baughtthe 2001 bike, most of the partswere crap, deor stuff and a judy c fork. the frame is light as hell, 2.9 lbs, its climbs like a mountain goat, and decends like a down hill bike. | | Weaknesses: | deore parts. | | Similar Products Used: | c'dale f700 | | Bike Setup: | full xtr, psylo xc, spinergy cyclone wheels(they camestock by acident) panaracer fire xc pro tires. | | Bottom Line: | best bike i have ever cliped into. for 1000 washingtons you cant beat it. 5 flaming roadies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
E. knowlton
a Cross Country Rider
from Wash.DC
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Perf.Bikes | | Strengths: | Very light. handles great. | | Weaknesses: | you can sqeeze the down tube with your hand and flex it, very easy to dent. | | Similar Products Used: | a lot. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Sid race, king headset, kooka crank, fsa ti BB, kooka cranks, raceface rings, xtr brakeset, 9.osl der, shifters, carbon seatpost and bar, slr seat, ringle revolution valiant wheelset, etc. | | Bottom Line: | nice, light and fast, i would recommend it to light guys who dont dent bikes a lot, i could only buy the frame and used a lot of my old parts for it. for 150, you cant beat the price for the frame with a stick. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lee
a Racer
from austrailia
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop | | Strengths: | light. climbs rides exellent.looks good.spec for $1700 oz dollars. | | Weaknesses: | bottom bracket. where i got it. bike shops are to brand specific | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | very happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago IL USA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Frame and components versus price is outstanding! Great bike right out of the box. Other vendors were higher priced compared to what was on this bike. RaceFace ISIS cranks and rings, titec cockpit, XT rear derailer all great stuff. | | Weaknesses: | Considering the price....nothing I can find. Have no complaints at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, Trek | | Bike Setup: | Changed - XTR cassette, XTR shifters and levers, XTR rear derailler, XT front derailer, Shimano 535 wheels, Rock Shox suspension seatpost, Hutchinson Gold Python tires, Selle Italia Gel Flite Saddle, Bontrager Mag. Bar Ends. May change to Time ATAC pedals when the factory Shimanos are trashed. May or may not change the fork, doubtful unless it wears out. | | Bottom Line: | I was looking at the SE1, and found the frames are identical, so rather than sink the extra 1000 into a bike that had a SID fork and tubeless tires, I bought the SE2 and put higher end components on. There really wasn't anything wrong with what came on the bike, and I am keeping those as spares should I ever need them. The only thing I really didn't like that came on the bike was the wheels and tires, as they are a little light-weight for a 6-0 200 lb. rider. I absolutely love this bike. The stripped frame is under 3 pounds, and Giant's warranty department is hard to beat. The surprise was the RockShox Duke Fork, which I had planned to change, but after riding it for awhile, decided to keep on the bike.
Good stiff riding bike, corners way better than my old Kona, have taken it to Wisconsin, Michigan, and even took it home to my parents last time I went to visit in Durango Colorado. Climbs like champ, and handles the runs down very well as long as you tune the shock right. I am very happy with this bike, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a 1st class hardtail. It's great out of the box, and the frame is their top of the line, so I didn't feel like upgrading components was a waste. Five Roasted Rats on this one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirt Ryder
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light frame, great components for the money, better than I saw on other lines bikes in the same price range. | | Weaknesses: | For the money, none. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Kona | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike! I am going to do some swap outs this winter, front derailler, wheels, shifters and tires, but other than that, I love this bike! For a grand you won't touch it with another line's bikes equipped the same way with a frame under 3 pounds. Rides well, climbs like a scalded dog, corners better than my Kona thought about. Hey...buy it!!! Same frame as their flagship hardtail, the se1. Five burning burritos for this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GS
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago IL
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | 21st Century Cycle | | Strengths: | I posted an earlier review on the 2001 Models. This is a great bike. For the price you can't beat the components and the frame is awesome. The Duke fork on this was a case of Giant listening to feedback about prior models. Finding a bike from another company comparably equipped would easily cost you $500.00 more. Titec cockpit is a plus as are RaceFace Cranks and chainwheels. | | Weaknesses: | Well, I can't complain. Considering what you pay for this, you really can't gripe much. There are things I changed, and things I will continue to change, but I can't score lower on it because I knew that going into it when I bought the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, Navarro (REI) | | Bike Setup: | I replaced the tires with Velociraptors. Changed out the front derailler and put on an XT. Am going to change the wheel sets and the cassette. | | Bottom Line: | I love the bike! I got it as soon as Giant released their new line. It looks just plain evil with the paint scheme. Certainly there are some things I am going to change, and the only gripe I have is that to put an XT rear derailler on, and then deore on the front...well...I think they could charge an extra 25 bucks and just put XT all the way around. The only other thing was the tires, Hutchinson Mosquitos are just not going to cut it for me.
I not a small rider (6-0, 205) and the Mavic 221 rims are just a bit light weight, so those are being changed out this winter with 517's with XT or XTR hubs. Figured I might as well put an XTR cassette on while I am doing that. I looked at the SE1, and there are some differences, but most of the money is in the tubeless tires and wheels, and a SID fork instead of the Duke XC. I figured for a $600.00 difference, why bother? The Duke fork is just plain awesome, and I see people with tubeless setups sticking tubes in them....so I saved the difference and am putting it into upgrading things that made a difference to me. The frames on the SE1 and SE2 are identical, except for color. Certainly I will upgrade the rest as things wear out, like the petals (Shimano 505's) and the bottom bracket.
This bike corners extremely well, climbs like a mountain goat, and handles downhills well. It is not designed for dropoffs or "extreme downhill". This is definately a XC bike that happens to do all around fairly well. Don't buy this bike if you want a soft ride, this is a stiff bike!
If you buy one, check the cranks after 25 miles, and then again at 50, 75, and 100. They will work loose while they "set", and because they are splined, you may not notice that they are. After a couple of times, they do set and you won't have problems again.
Bottom line? Buy this thing! It simply is an awesome bike, and is excellent out of the box, and with some minimal investment, you can turn this into a pretty classy racer if you're so inclined. I looked at other bikes with comparable setups, and they were always about $400.00+ more than this bike, and most of the times, the frames weren't even close (the SE1 and SE2 frames are under 3 pounds). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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