Armed with 8 inches of travel, the freeride-specific Glory features an ALUXX SL alloy frameset and Giant’s no compromise Maestro Suspension system. An oversize Onepointfive standard headset accepts the latest generation single-crown, long-travel freeride forks.
Submitted by
thevolcoman
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern NH, US Date Reviewed: April 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Anything at Highland Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Crooker Cycle Sports
Strengths:
Maestro suspension is super plush and rides amazing once you get rid of the roco. Don't lose much power due to pedal bob. Stock components generally solid all around. WTB wheels surprisingly resilient but I haven't been downhilling yet.
Weaknesses:
Roco TST-R does not compare to a DHX 5.0. Somewhat heavy but that's why you ride a chairlift up the hill.
Had to spend $200 on a Risse 1.5" steer tube and crowns to be able to put my 888RC3 on it (not really a weakness I guess)
Similar Products Used:
Big Hit, Kona Stinky, Weyless 6.7
Bike Setup:
888RC3 up front with Risse 1.5" crown and steer tube upgrade. Fox DHX 5.0. Probably some DT FR wheels when I kill the WTB wheels.
Bottom Line:
Overall a very solid bike right out of the box. A true all around freeride bike that is tolerable uphill but can soak up burly dh runs and drops. Coming from my old AC-1, this bike feels bottomless, and when you do bottom it out, it is not harsh at all. Bike feels solid but time will tell how the linkage will hold up. I have not been able to take it on any lift accessed terrain yet, but it did well on 6-8 foot urban drops and felt surprisingly light on the dirt jump course.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bcinlas4
a Downhiller
from Thousand Oaks, CA Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Suicide
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Newbury Park Bicycle
Strengths:
The ability to float over the most technical terrain super fast. Maestro Suspension. Confidence inspireing.
Weaknesses:
Weight, X 5 shifter - crap!
Similar Products Used:
Nothing similiar. But I do own a Reign 2 w/ same suspension.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for an upgraded Marzocchi 888 RC2 and a Cane Creek headset.
Bottom Line:
I've been riding my Reign for three years; agressively I thought. Once I got on this thing it was like I took off the training wheels. Fast and plush. This is my third Giant w/ the Maestro suspension and I dont know why anyone would ride anything else. My friend swears by the VPP system (V10 & VP Free)but I don't think it can compare. True these are not "true" DH angles but thats what makes it so versitile. You can run full speed and the tech tight stuff. Try that on a V10! Weight is on the hi side but you get used to it. Going tubeless would be a great upgrade. As far as other reviewers mentioning keeping up with there XC friends, forget it. That's what you've got two bikes for, right? Alot of pushing and lift access. That's what it's for. Buy one!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stpcrkr
a Weekend Warrior
from Laramie, Wy Date Reviewed: January 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Whole Enchilada, Moab
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3100.00
Purchased At:
The Pedal House
Strengths:
Incredible stability, plushness, control on the downhill. Climbs like a goat on the uphill.
Weaknesses:
HEAVY!!! Holy crap this bike is heavy stock. Marzocchi parts. (the ROCO shock blew up within a month, I would have been cool with it, but it took Marzocchi OVER a month to replace it! BOOOO!)
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bike Setup:
Stock, except Fox DHX Coil shock.
Bottom Line:
I demoed this bike for a few days on the National Trail in Phoenix. At first I was appalled at the weight of the bike and how difficult it was to pedal up hill. But as soon as I hit the first downhill I was in love. It has completely redefined what I can do on a bike. I went to Moab 6 times in the fall of 08 and rode almost everything.
Eventually you get used to the weight, but you also get used to being way behind your XC buddies on the uphill. I bonk a lot on big hills and just push it. If you don't aspire to pushing around a 46lb bike you can give up a little capability and get the Reign X.
My main bike buddy has a SC Bullit. Which was my first choice, but I was put off by the exorbitant price. So I got the Glory instead (it was nearly half the price). Best decision I ever made! In rolling terrain and climbs he is faster than I am because the Bullit is much lighter. But any downhill that doesn't involve pedaling I absolutely destroy him. He hates letting anyone go in front of him, but he has learned to just accept that with the Glory I am faster and he always lets me go first on big downhills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
William42
a Downhiller
from Davis, CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Santa Barbara
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3300.00
Purchased At:
Freewheeler Bicycle
Strengths:
Strong, is a true "freeride" bike - you can climb to the top of a hill without bob, manage the techy rooty steeps, and then bomb the *&@% down and do any jumps or drops that you can find on the way.
It holds its lines pretty well, it pedals super well, has almost no brake squat, jumps decently, handles rock gardens fairly well, does well on tight twisty stuff.
Weaknesses:
Its a little flexy in the rear end, its heavy (12.8 with roco tst, shock bushings and stock axle, nothing else), and the angles are not "true downhill angles" - can be a plus or minus depending on how you look at it.
Similar Products Used:
You name it, and I've probably tried it.
Bike Setup:
Got bike down to 38 lbs. Stock is 46. Was running an evolver ISX6 on it for awhile, probably the most notable thing. Lots of light weight bits.
Bottom Line:
I wanted to write a review after I'd had the bike for awhile. I also didn't want to be the toolbag that writes this huge review two days after getting it without a follow up, or the toolbag who writes a rave review while they're trying to sell the bike. The frame has already been sold
At anyrate, on with the review:
Its very solidly put together, the build is a pretty heavy build, but I don't think you'll break one thing on the stock build. If you're trying to save money, thats the way to go. Having a light bike is cool, but stuff breaks on it all the time. This is a good build right here.
The roco TST on it kinda blows. Just pump alot of air into the piggy back and keep the tst on full open and it'll be mediocre, as opposed to awful.
the 66rc3 is pretty rad, it feels great, and was pretty reliable. Alot of people have had trouble with 08 marzocchi. I had to send my fork back for two weeks, but other then that dead reliable. For a full year of riding, one service is not bad. Changed the oil a couple times, but pretty solid fork. I'd recommend it.
I had some codes. I switched the stock strokers for them. I eventually sold the codes and switched back to the strokers. they were lighter, offered better modulation, and provided more then enough power.
the suspension was pretty rad. it was miles above FSR, (although i'm partial to suspension you don't need compression to cover up for crappy pedaling performance.) It soaked up bumps well, felt pretty bottomless, was quite linear, and never really bottomed out harshly. (I know, it doesn't make sense, but thats what happened). I ended up selling it because I wanted a canfield bro's bike (the bro's were pretty cool to me, and I liked their rides) and DH geometry. If you're looking for something that is a true freeride bike, this, moreso then any bike on the market, is it. Epic in moab where you do the big drops but gotta pedal 11, 12 miles? perfect. I would highly recommend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TobiP
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Etterzhausen, Bombenkrater
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$380.00
Purchased At:
frame only at big "e
Strengths:
Maestro Suspension! Sweeet! Test it, ride it, you'll feel the difference right away. Pedals well uphill without too much bouncing. Easy to handle since heavy parts are positioned fairly low. It's the "u're at home, baby"- geometry. But compare for yourself! This tool really fits like a glove. I love it, I'll marry it soon...
Weaknesses:
Long chainstay, not as playful as others.
Stock setup: get rid of '08 Marzocchis as quickly as possible! Bushings have tolerance from day 1! Marzocchi goes China.
It's a Giant: lousy cable duct and crappy FSA Pig One (no sealed bearings)
Similar Products Used:
Versus (tough guy toy), Grossman, Nicolai, Banshee Scream,...
Bike Setup:
Purchased frame/ shock set at big "e". Rock Shox Totem Coil (best FR Singlecrown)
Bottom Line:
Try as many bikes as possible. Good reviews don't help much if you're tool doesn't fit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RYAN ZALEWSKI
a Weekend Warrior
from APPLETON, WI, USA Date Reviewed: May 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
ANYWHERE
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At:
RECYCLIST BIKE SHOP
Strengths:
REAR SUSPENSION DESIGN, GEOMETRY, FRAME STRENGTH, GOOD COMPONENTS, GOOD FREERIDE FORK, GOOD LOOKS, GOOD VALUE-ALMOST EVERYTHING
Weaknesses:
WEIGHT-BUT OF COURSE IF IT WAS LIGHTER IT WOULD PROBABLY BE WEAKER. NOT SURE ON THE REAR SHOCK YET. FORK AND SHOCK MANUALS ARE ALMOST USELESS.
Similar Products Used:
ALMOST EVERYTHING
Bike Setup:
STOCK '08 SPECS: MARZOCCHI ROCCO TST R REAR SHOCK AND 66 RC3 1.5 FORK, ETC.
Bottom Line:
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FREERIDE BIKE AND NOT A HORRIBLE ALL MOUNTAIN. CLIMBS AND PEDALS BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE WITH THIS MUCH TRAVEL/BIG BUMP CAPABILITY. EVEN OK FOR SMALL COMMUTES (NOT THAT NORMAL RIDERS WILL USE IT FOR THIS). BRAKES WORK GREAT SO FAR, FRONT FORK WORKS GREAT ONCE BROKEN IN. I STILL NEED TO DO SOME FINE TUNING WITH THE REAR SHOCK, THE MANUAL'S SETUP INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT VERY HELPFUL. IF ALL ELSE FAILS ONE COULD TRY A FOX DHX 5.0, VIVID, OR DOUBLE BARREL. WILL SUBMIT ANOTHER REVIEW ONCE I HAVE MORE TIME ON IT.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonny TPT
a Downhiller
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Bike can do it all. Fast, jumps wells, and can climb. Great for FR and DH. Super strong frame
Weaknesses:
Maybe the weight if the frame, but as you have heard before you don't feel it when riding. Forks didn't come with enough oil and kept bottoming out. E-13 chain guide moves when hit by obstacles. OH, DON'T PUSH YOUR SEAT POST DOWN TOO FAR OR YOU CAN MESS UP THE INSIDE OF YOUR FRAME POST!!
Similar Products Used:
Bikes
Bike Setup:
66rc3, Rocco TST. Standard 08 setup.
Bottom Line:
At first I had to get used to the geometry (specifically the head tube angle) but once you do, this thing is amazing! Feels super solid and can rip through anything. Good on the steeps, but if u want to go really fast on super steeps then get the DH - however this bike is better on Jumps, drops and climbing. If you can only afford one bike then this is the way to go. Must be one of the best deals out there for the price!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia Date Reviewed: February 11, 2008
may be a bit heavy, but you really dont feel it at all
Similar Products Used:
IH Sunday, Giant Reign
Bike Setup:
07 spec Glory 0, with 66 ATA, added MRP chainguide and Funn 710mm bars
Bottom Line:
the LBS gave me one of these to try out for a weekend, from the moment I hit the local FR trail I was in love!! It boosted off jumps nicely, felt stable and very flickable in the air and was able to plow thru some pretty nasty rock gardens. Big hucks were made easy and due to the light front end it was so much easier to pull that front wheel up when I needed to. I bought this bike purely for riding off drops and jumping big gaps but the bike can handle DH nicely too, altho HA is a little steep at 67 deg. I have also climbed back up many times on this bike and it pedals very very well thanks to the Maestro suspension
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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