Submitted by
Steven Crout
a Cross Country Rider
from Edgewood, KY USA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
East Fork Lake
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Montgomery Cyclery
Strengths:
Weight, componentry, price and overall handling.
Weaknesses:
Brakes and spontaneous frame cracks.
Bike Setup:
19.5" with Formula MD-1 Cable Disc Brakes, Deore/XT combo, WTB Velociraptor...etc...
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! It handles like a dream...the naked carbon fiber look is wicked as hell...perfect price for what they give you. However, (isn't there always one), the brake setup is something my 10 year old cousin could build better in craft-time at school. Unless you are an experienced rider, you will suffer from using this brake setup. I almost immediately took this setup off the bike, replaced with a hydraulic setup, and didn't even contemplate putting them on another bike. The pieces are hanging about on my wall in the garage as show, along with other parts over the years. Even after spending for new brakes ($200), this bike is a steal. Then, after I thought all was well and good, I noticed a generous crack in the top-tube about 6 inches in from the seatpost. I had inspected the bike before I rode, and after riding a very tame 3 mile trail (NO JUMPING INVOLVED ANYWHERE!!), I noticed the crack. My Giant rep is replacing the bike, but unfortunately, they have none of this frame available. Now, I will be back to riding Aluminum for awhile...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shaun Orr
a Downhiller
from SLC Utah Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001
i have nothing be great things to say about al the components except for the brakes. This bike has Forumula MD-1 disk brakes that look great, but suffer from the worst craftmanship, customer support, and functionality of any product I have ever tried. The only upside is that I called the US distributer for Formula and told them that their brakes almost got me killed and they sent me their new 2001 Activa brakes as replacements. GET RID OF THE FORMULA BRAKES and this bike is awesome for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
Medium light weight. Great climber. Very responsive singletrack ride. Absorbs bumps well. Carbon fiber looks sexy.
An awesome riding bike that is telepathic to your imput. The frame really responds well to turns, climbing, and anything you throw at it. With aftermarket upgrades you can get it close to 20 pounds. Unfortunatually, the frame is brittle and rocks you kick up can show light damage. The area around the bottom bracket will show radial hairline cracks before a year. The frame from my old Bridgestone is in better condition. Luckily even with several frame cracks there is no flex and it hasn't broken yet, but it does put a seed of dout in the back of your head when your riding really hard. 5 stars for the ride, 0 stars for the build quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren Robinson
a
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Walker Ranch Columbine Gulch Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Campus Cycles Denver, CO
Strengths:
Light stiff frame climbs well
Weaknesses:
The frame began to crack, and flake without any impact to the frame whatsoever within 1 month on the right seat stay.
The frame is simply fragile
cable actuated disc brake suck (constantly squealing) and do not even compare to v brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stump Jumper M2 Comp
Bike Setup:
Great components with exception of the brake system
Bottom Line:
Do not buy this bike if you want a frame that is going to last more than 1 year. Giant DOES NOT stand behind their products and chose not to replace the frame citing that their was impact to the craked are when no paint had even been touched and stickers were in tact.
GIANT IS A JOKE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Wood
a Cross Country Rider
from Trail, Oregon Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Rogue River Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Carbon fiber frame, Judy SL shox, Everyting but the brakes
Weaknesses:
Formula disc brakes. Don't even try to stop if you are over 200lbs. I actually called the president @ Giant and left a message that eventually I would be suing them because I went over a cliff or my wife would because I was dead. They sent me upgaded shoes and it was better. For the money it is still worth it but I will upgrade to another disc brake system as soon as $$$ possible.
Bottom Line:
A great frame with awesome componets. perfect when you upgrade to a Hayes disc brake system. I waited 10 years to upgrade from my old chrom moly and have to admit I felt like I was gliding through the woods the first time I road it. I can hardly explain how different it felt everything was right I was free, then I had to stop! OUCH!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jan Russell
a Cross-Country Rider
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000
Submitted by
Giant
a Cross-Country Rider
from Indy,In Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Knobstone Trail
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
SRAM 9-speed - AWESOME ! The Bike climbs and corners REALLY good ! The Price is right...
Weaknesses:
The frame flexes and causes the formula disk brake rotors to hit the brake pads..... has anybody else had this problem ? The 'feel' of the Avid brake levers w/the formula brakes is not very good. The seat is marginal... Too many stickers on the frame !!!
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Thin Air Specialized Rock Hopper Comp
Bottom Line:
If you can tolerate the poor performance of the brakes it is an awesome ride !
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mick
a Racer
from Ellington, CT Date Reviewed: March 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Soapstone Forest
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light frame Decent drive train Judy sl Formula cable discs
Weaknesses:
Seat Bottom Bracket
Bottom Line:
This bike rides great. The carbon frame is extremely light, stiff, and climbs awesome. The new judy sl has an excellent feel out of the box. The new formula cable acuated disc brakes are far superior than V Brakes. What other bike company offers this much bike for $1800 and weighs 24lbs.
Overall Rating:
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