The XTC opens the door to hardtail heaven. This incredible value has a nimble, responsive aluminum frame and a RockShox Duke XC fork for comfort and control.
Submitted by
costam
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal Date Reviewed: June 27, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Sports Depot
Strengths:
Rigid, fast, lightweight, great build quality. Great value.
Weaknesses:
Hayes front brake drags a bit, must pay close attention when installing front wheel; paint chips and scratches easily.
Bike Setup:
stock 2008 model
Bottom Line:
A hard-riding friend suggested that if I was to buy just one bike for all types of riding — road, trail, etc. — the XTC was the bike. He was right. This bike is responsible for getting me back into biking, I use it almost daily now. I even got studded tires and use it in winter.
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Submitted by
AwP
a Weekend Warrior
from Jacksonville,FL Date Reviewed: February 7, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Champion Cycling
Strengths:
Incredible frame. Stock components can easily go away and soon you'll be rolling on an XC race machine.
After 3 years, dropouts still good, though worn.
Integrated headset. Stiff handling on climbs. Nice finish.
Weaknesses:
Fork. Only because of bias towards Fox. Why haven't I upgraded? Good question.
Initially, BB needed to be tightened.
had to change the stem and the seatpost to get a more 'racing' geometry....except that, you get a really nice bike for the price when it's stock:P Mine is not ..haha
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Submitted by
Paul Maneveld
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town, South Africa Date Reviewed: January 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The Majik Forest, Tygerberg
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Trader
Strengths:
Weight(none!); stiffness (lots!)
Bike Setup:
FoxF100X Terra Logic;AvidJuicy Carbon Disc brakes;Mavic xc717Disc wheels;DT Swiss hubs; Full SRAM XO; XTR pedals and cranks;Amoeba Carbon bars;Easton Stem and Seatpost; Selle San Marco carbon saddle;Kenda Klimax Lite UST tyres
Bottom Line:
So, check the build, this is an uncompromising race weapon;the carbon frame is a work of art, and every bolt on my rig is blinging titanium. Giant's reputation is beyond reproach, and it was made on bikes like this. She's a beautiful climber, a forgiving descender, a switchblade on singletrack, especially with that plush fork (massive stanchions steer like it's got GPS; for that price, it should), and an all round blast to ride, even just around car parks - it's like pitching up at a party with Adriana Lima on your arm.
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from WA, USA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
State Patrol
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Online
Strengths:
Great value; light weight; excellent build quality.
I only purchased the Giant Xtc Team frame, I bought everything else according to my own specs, just didn't like the way the bike was outfitted from the factory... This frame is feather light and quite strong as I weigh 185 lbs and have been riding it hard for over a year without issues. Great hardtail geometry and feel, it climbs superbly! Of course it can be a rough ride on really rocky/rooty descents - that is the tradeoff for the light weight and strength of this frame...
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Submitted by
Caleb
a Racer
from Bozeman, MT, United States Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Nudraper (in Oklahoma)
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1050.00
Purchased At:
The Bicycle Store
Strengths:
Durability, speed, weight
Weaknesses:
Probably made in a sweat shop somewhere, but i guess thats the thing called life.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Epiphany
Bike Setup:
Slowly changed everything out with xtr, which consequently made it one of the fastest bikes around.
Bottom Line:
I first got this bike right at as i turned 17 and raced up to about 2 weeks ago when I got an Ellsworth Epiphany for my 21st. When I first got the XTC I knew nothing about mountain biking and just thought the bike looked cool. But the bike took me being on of the top riders in the state for under 21, so its definetly a fast bike. Due to being a hardtail, it is a bit on the bumpy side, and probably not quite as comfortable as some of the full suspension bikes, but i guarantee it will beat most of the full suspension bikes. So i think comfort can be compromised for a good laugh as you watch the competitors cross the finish line a good margin behind you. So uhh, go buy the XTC, i bet you will be happy.
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Submitted by
Tom Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Houghton, MI Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Strengths:
Very lightweight, nice looking, great components. Excellent feel.
Weaknesses:
None.
Bottom Line:
Bike is one of my first since I am just beginning in riding. I've been very satisfied with it and it's performance. It's winter and I'm still cruising around on it trying to find trouble.
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Submitted by
Jose Enrique Tavarez
a Weekend Warrior
from Santiago , Dominican Republic Date Reviewed: November 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
lLOS COLMADOS
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
BICICENTRO
Strengths:
APPEARANCE, LIGHTNESS AND COMPONENTS
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
GT ZASKAR,SPECIALIZED STUMPJUMPER JAMIS DAKAR
Bike Setup:
MAVIC CROSSMAX XL, ROCK SHOX SID RACE,
Bottom Line:
+ tHE BEST HANDLE ALL AROUND IN ANY ALUM BIKE I EVER RIDE. VERY LIGHT AND SOLID FRAME, WICH LET YOU RIDE WITH LESS EFFORT IN ANY CONDITIONS AND TERRAIN.
THIS ONE DESERVES A 9
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Submitted by
Jin Maekawa
a Cross Country Rider
from Bangkok, Thailand Date Reviewed: March 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
15k narrow, red dirt, in hua hin
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
just for "xtc team" frame bought at interbike
Strengths:
real light, sweet 2006 color (red and silver) great seatin postion, makes evryone break their neck when you ride pass them.
Weaknesses:
paint will scratch off easily, especially for the non powder coat version.
Similar Products Used:
khs alite 4000
Bike Setup:
xtc team frame, fox f100rlt, full lx components, mavic 517 rims with lx hubs, kore handle bar stem and seat post.
Bottom Line:
u want a sexy frame that is lite strong and looks absolutely amazin, the xtc team or the regular xtc is great. great for cross country and high speed rides, but not for the dare devil riders. evrythin u want from a competition hardtail that is affordable. my favorite aluminium frame along with the khs alite 4000 and khs alite team.
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Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, il, USA Date Reviewed: February 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
FDR park, IA or Paylos, IL
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Super light and sturdy, okay stock parts, screams up hills, a great deal!
Weaknesses:
little un-happy with the saddle, the installed disks a touch temperamental. I got what I $$$ for though!
Similar Products Used:
Litespeed, Iron Horse, a few Specialized Rockhoppers.
Bike Setup:
Stock with added Avid disks before riding out the store.
Bottom Line:
While trying to figure how to afford a Lightspeed I gave the xtc a run: though 6 foot and 160lbs I just like light bikes. Hopping a simple city curb on the test ride I got a flat but I was hooked (I think it was under-inflated, no flats since). It nearly performs as well as the 4k$ lightspeed I almost went broke over, 250 rough single-track miles later it's still great. What little street riding I do on this bike went nice. There is no way I would use this without disks though, with a ride this good why dampen the fun trying to stop? I'm impressed with the Avid stuff (interesting levers but I got used to them) but the disks need work often: rear disk rubs the caliper housing making a singing noise sometimes. Dealer nor myself cannot keep it perfect, I think the mounting to frame is weak.
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Submitted by
Basil Chua
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Singapore
Strengths:
The Giant XTC frame is superlight and rigid for this price. By using a KONA Caldera-spec parts for the same price range, it's unbelievably light and strong.
Weaknesses:
None for the moment.
Bike Setup:
What I did was to install a KONA Caldera-spec parts onto the GIANT XTC frame. Marzhochi MX-2 fork, Hayes 9XC disc brakes, Truvati Blaze crank set, WTB handle/ saddle and of course upgraded Panaracer Cinder 2.1 and 2.25 tyres.
Bottom Line:
GIANT XTC aluminium frames are superlight and rigid. With the current setup, I could cruise at 30 km/h on road effortlessly. So far, on flat paved roads, I've clocked 45 km/h. And on level gravel roads, I've clocked 25 km/h on average easily. I've yet to clock my average speed for mud tracks...
I would strongly recommend the GIANT XTC frame for anyone who wants a strong and superlight frame at a reasonable budget. All you have to do is to get better parts and you've quite a strong performer for an medium entry-level bike.
Cheers from Singapore.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jimmy
a Weekend Warrior
from Tallahassee,Fl Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Great Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
Light,nimble, and FAST
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
giant boulder se
Bottom Line:
This is a very fast very light nimble machine. I have ridden it everyday since I got it on the commute and trails and it is a dream. I cant wait to race it. A little pricy for me but to get all these components on a bike would be twice as much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chino
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View, CA Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
The Offramp
Strengths:
Awesome bike, even stock. Great performance for the money (all Giants are). Light and very durable.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
'97 Specialized GX, '04 BigHit SPEC, '04 Giant Police Bike
Bike Setup:
Currently stock with Titec L-Bend bar ends and Azonic X Pedals. Possible upgrades in the near future include: Giant carbon atb stem, Easton carbon flatbars, Hayes SOLE XC hydraulic discs, and carbon seatpost.
Bottom Line:
I work at a Giant, Specialized, Raleigh, Scott, and Haro dealer and for those of you looking for a light, nimble, aluminum-frame hardtail for a great price, the XTC is the one. The SRAM X7 derailleur shifts better than its Shimano counterpart (somewhere around the Deore LX range). The SRAM Impulse shifters, aka "thumbies," are great once you get used to them. The stock wheels are disc-compatible so you can upgrade without too much trouble. Rock Shox Duke XCs dont have much travel, but do the job for an XC rider. Nice paintjob too.. Overall an excellent XC machine.
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Submitted by
Ryan Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Tx Date Reviewed: July 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
12 miles of hell
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$999.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Price, Nice easton stock setup. Duke suprisingly handles moderately technical sections very well. 25 lbs for medium frame
Weaknesses:
heavy wheels and tires don't hook up well on anything other than hardpack.
Bike Setup:
mostly stock with some upgrades. Race face deus low riser WTB Mutano rator(front) Kenda Short Tracker (Rear)
Bottom Line:
You cant beat the set up on this bike for the price. It handles rough singletrack very well and keeps you very centered on the bike. The front end seemed a little hard to control and steep drop ins caused me some trouble. The low riser fixed all. I have put about 2000 miles on this bike and it is still holding up relatively well. Just completed the trail of tears 100 with absolutely flawless performance. You will not get a huge increase in performance from any bike without spending significantly more money. Very upgradeable and great entry level racer
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good all around XC bike. Lots of nice parts sram X7 shifters and rear derailleur work vary well. Rock Shox DukeXC fork, I was most surprised at the fork its actually quite nice even with its lack of adjustment. My only question is why Shimano chain and rear caste
Weaknesses:
Non yet
Similar Products Used:
Kline pulse race/ kline pulse comp
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I like this bike a lot. I use to race XC and have been riding full suspension exclusively for the last 3 years. I honestly never thought I would go back to a hard tail. I got this bike because I didn’t have the money for an NRS. I was expecting to really not like the ride. I was vary surprised by this bike. Its much nicer then my old hard tails not harsh at all. Its vary fast on single track and handles technical sections vary well. Over all I’m vary happy with all the parts Giant specs the XTCs vary well. I was expecting to want to upgrade every thing but I think I’m going to leave it stock for now. Honestly the only thing I think its missing is disc brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chuck colbert
a Racer
from lubbock Date Reviewed: May 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
pease river turkey texas
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
Told it was light, Can't find the weight posted anywhere. Ordered 2 weeks ago, still not here. Bike shop very compitent, I wonder if Giant has screwed up. I got a great deal being that I buy tons from this shop.
Weaknesses:
Don't have it yet.
Similar Products Used:
Haro
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
WHAT IS GIANT DOING? I NEED A BIKE FOR AN ENDURO RIDE NEXT WEEKEND AND I FEAR I WILL HAVE TO MOOCH ONE. i NEED PRACTICE! I'M A ROADIE AND THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN THE DIRT.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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