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Giant ATX 840

Average Rating 3.8/5
# of Reviews 25
MSRP $ 1145.00
Weight
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Description:Giant ATX 840





Submitted by Poder a Cross Country Rider from Alberta/BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2004
Favoriate Trail:...lots of good single track in Jasper...
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $600.00
Purchased At:Jasper
Strengths:Good brakes (I haven't had any problems with my Avid front disc, though I've heard of issues from others). Rims stand up well. Haven't had any signifigant breakage issues.
Weaknesses:RST fork is truely lame. I'm not a heavy guy, but on any trail for which you would need a fork, this one craps out way too easily. Very reminiscent of a pogo-stick. The stock saddle is for masochists only.
Bike Setup:Mostly stock. New grips (ripped one off in a crash). Replaced saddle after one day. I am now running Maxis Calibos/Minitoaur tires (came with WTB Velociraptors...they weren't bad, but not exactly inspiring either).
Bottom Line:I've easily had my money's worth out of this bike. During my high-use times it sees 100-150 km/wk of trail riding and it has priven reliable. Given what was on the market at the time, I think this was an excellent bike for it's price. Nowadays, you should really go for something with a full disc brake system, and a shock that utilises air/oil.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Brian Cross a from Bowmanville
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003
Favoriate Trail:Harmony
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $750.00
Purchased At:Canadian Cycle
Strengths:Great frame. Super bike for beginners. For the money its one of the best. If you wanna go all out i wouldnt suggest this bike but I have before and it stood up.
Weaknesses:Alivio derailure isnt the best but you gotta deal with it I havent had any major problems with it so far. Gotta get a new bike soon though.
Similar Products Used:GIANT Yukon
GT Ruckus
Bottom Line:Good bike. Solid. Everything a beginner wants. If your looking for a bike today. I'd go with the GIANT IGUANA Disc. Its about the same. Or go with a Norco Storm.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Fred Joe a Cross Country Rider from Africa
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003
Favoriate Trail:whats that
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $550.00
Purchased At:store
Strengths:nothing
Weaknesses:everything
Similar Products Used:i had another bike
Bike Setup:whats that
Bottom Line:sucks, very weak.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Mike Herbert a from Margate, Qld., Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Favoriate Trail:road
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $900.00
Purchased At:Recdliffe Cycles
Strengths:Mine is also the Australian 2001 version. I purchased it for every day road use as a means of getting to and from work. ( I'm a diabetic and need a strict daily exercise regime - and believe me the Giant fits the bill.) I particularly like the Avid disk brakes front & rear - terrific in any weather conditions. This is my first MTB frame, bike purchased after wearing out 2 previous hybrid bikes. Personally I don't mind the RST Gamma Front shocks, but to be fair, road use is not a severe test. My needs are for a bike to be a heavy duty performer, relatively bulletproof as far as maintenance bills are concerned, and the Giant fits the slot perfectly. Probably would have preferred a more robust derailleur than the Alivio but you can't have everything. I've done some 2500 kms now and haven't experienced any difficulties at all. Love the Rigida Zac 2000 rims. Fitted Continental Town & Country road tyres when orig purchased - also great for my particular needs. No troubles with front crank at all so far.
Weaknesses:None displayed so far.
Similar Products Used:Merida
Bike Setup:Road use - Aver 25-30 klm each day. Stock plus hduty lights/rechargeable lead acid battery system.
Bottom Line:Actually saw the 2001, 2002, & 2003 Giant hardtail MTB's side by side in the bike shop & preferred the 2001 ATX 840 introductory version over the newer models. (And decision wasn't only based on price. The 2001 model just looks good.

Great bullet proof performer
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mike Herbert a from Margate, Qld., Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Favoriate Trail:road
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $900.00
Purchased At:Recdliffe Cycles
Strengths:Mine is also the Australian 2001 version. I purchased it for every day road use as a means of getting to and from work. ( I'm a diabetic and need a strict daily exercise regime - and believe me the Giant fits the bill.) I particularly like the Avid disk brakes front & rear - terrific in any weather conditions. This is my first MTB frame, bike purchased after wearing out 2 previous hybrid bikes. Personally I don't mind the RST Gamma Front shocks, but to be fair, road use is not a severe test. My needs are for a bike to be a heavy duty performer, relatively bulletproof as far as maintenance bills are concerned, and the Giant fits the slot perfectly. Probably would have preferred a more robust derailleur than the Alivio but you can't have everything. I've done some 2500 kms now and haven't experienced any difficulties at all. Love the Rigida Zac 2000 rims. Fitted Continental Town & Country road tyres when orig purchased - also great for my particular needs. No troubles with front crank at all so far.
Weaknesses:None displayed so far.
Similar Products Used:Merida
Bike Setup:Road use - Aver 25-30 klm each day. Stock plus hduty lights/rechargeable lead acid battery system.
Bottom Line:Actually saw the 2001, 2002, & 2003 Giant hardtail MTB's side by side in the bike shop & preferred the 2001 ATX 840 introductory version over the newer models. (And decision wasn't only based on price. The 2001 model just looks good.

Great bullet proof performer
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mike a from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2003
Favoriate Trail:Marin Trail, Betws-y-Coed, Wales
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $500.00
Purchased At:Scott Cycles Karratha
Strengths:Great tyres. Unfortunately little else.
Weaknesses:I purchased the bike 3 years ago from a catalogue and since then have done around 4500km on road (with slicks) and around 100km X-country. Has been cleaned and oiled regularly. Since purchase have replaced both shifters, front shifter has failed again, front disc brake has never worked properly and now cannot get parts, rear dia-compe brake is cheap and has broken, top-bar too short for someone my size (6'4"). Front shock (RST 381EL) suits someone 65-75kg. I enquired about stiffer springs 1 month after buying the bike and was told that parts were no longer available. Aluminium frame is very heavy and comparable to steel frames.
Similar Products Used:Trek, Marin
Bike Setup:As purchased, though with bar-ends
Bottom Line:I have not been happy with the bike I bought intending not to need an upgrade for many years. After three years I do not feel I have got my moneys worth.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:2

Submitted by dre a from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002
Favoriate Trail:Oxford Falls Comp tracks
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $500.00
Purchased At:Northside Cyclery, Chatswood
Strengths:Good frame and welds, handlebars could be better but are good enough. Gears are ok.
Weaknesses:Wheel hubs could be better and so could rims that came with the bike. Front suspension could also be better, maybe bomber or rock shox...
Similar Products Used:Jamis Komodo, also rode the avanti downhill AD8 in comp. Good bike...
Bike Setup:All stock except for new disk brakes (front and back) new hand grips, new front and rear derailleur. Got a NICAD light on the front, always good, replaced all cables and small parts after about 6 months... just to be sure.
Bottom Line:To keep this bike going hard, you have to take it beyond its limits. I have ridden on my atx all over the snowy mountains, Perisher and Thredbo, on a few dowhill tracks as well. The frame would creak every now and then, but would stay strong and not crack. This bike is really meant for instant improving, maybe with rock shox, a second disc brake on the back, new handle bars and headset. you should look out for the front disc brake, it can sometimes scrape rocks and other objects on a trail. Overall the bike is great for a thrasher for going around pretty difficult tracks. It can take a lot of strain and I advise not to drop off more than about 4-5 feet, the rear rim dents and bickles easily. I bought a new double walled rim to suit my riding better. It can be taken almost anywhere compared to what you think it can do. Always good as a beginner mountain bike as well to be kept for a few years and got used to.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Jonathan Brookes a Weekend Warrior from Cardiff, U.K
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Favoriate Trail:Cwmcarn
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Purchased At:Don Skene
Strengths:Strong frame, reliable, handles well & looks allright.
Weaknesses:Cheap brakes & standard Wildgrippers perhaps.
Similar Products Used:Diamondback
Bike Setup:Original Suntours, wheels etc & new LX everything else.
Bottom Line:Excellent, durable XC bike that's given lots of joy & taken loads of abuse over 4 years. I'll keep upgrading and should get another 4 years of fun!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Matt Beaghley a Weekend Warrior from San Diego, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002
Favoriate Trail:Noble Canyon, California
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $800.00
Purchased At:Iwakuni, Japan
Strengths:One of the best frames available. Very light and solid.
Weaknesses:Shifters. My bike came with grip shifters which needed to be upgraded.
Bike Setup:1997 Rock Shox Jett..upgrade from stock rigid fork. Not the greatest fork, but does the job.
Bottom Line:Great Bike! I have owned my ATX840 since 1996. I have taken it on every type of terrain in four different countries (USA, Japan, Mexico, Canada). It is solid.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jean a Weekend Warrior from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $185.00
Purchased At:second hand
Strengths:Frame work is very light and seems rather strong aswell, great value for money. Rapidfire (I'm definitely not a grip shift fan!). Brake Disk at the Front (whoopiieee!). Worth upgrading
Weaknesses:Front fork (way too flexible, heavy, no rebout damping, and damping cannot be set firm enough). Crank set rather lousy. Very lousy set of V-brakes in the back (lucky I prefer using alot of front brake). Shame alivio shifters where used instead of STX or higher. Brake levers suck big-time. Al together rather heave (compared to my steel Muddy Fox, which is a full 2k lighter!!!)
Similar Products Used:Imperial
Muddy Fox Courier Mega
Muddy Fox Courier Comp
Bottechia
Bike Setup:Flipped the a-head stem up side down (great looks! and nice position for on-road racing). Pro titanium handlebar. Deore rear derallieur. Onza Tires
Bottom Line:One of the best frames money can buy, but that's probably why Giant used such cheap parts... needs upgrading, but hey! that's part of the fun.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Chris a Weekend Warrior from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $400.00
Strengths:Strong Light Frame
Weaknesses:Low level components
Bike Setup:As supplied (rigid forks, v-brakes, blah blah blah)
Bottom Line:This bike has seen me complete sprint triathlons, 50Km off road, Single track downhill, inner-city riding, etc.

I can not recommend a better bike to get into biking with (sure, she broke my elbow once, but that happens). The frame is durable, and has lasted over 4 years with increasing demands being placed on it.

Shame that they're no longer in production - worth picking up second hand to upgrade components one at a time when you have the cash.



Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Kelvin a from Richmond Hill
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2002
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $500.00
Purchased At:Cyclepath
Strengths:Quality of the frame and welds are top notch. Its basically the same frame Giant use to use on their much more expensive bikes.
Weaknesses:OE parts that came with the bike is basic.
Bike Setup:Singlespeed,RS Judy Race, Truvative Husslefelt (32T) w/ rock ring, SRAM 8speed chain, XT veez, XT disk hub on Sun Rhyno Lites, Syncros hardcore bars, stem, and seat post, Avid SpeedDial 7, 1664 pedals and the rest is all OE.
Bottom Line:Great beginner bike.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by GARY a Weekend Warrior from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002
Favoriate Trail:The Oaks Trail Blue Mountains
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:Sydney
Strengths:GREAT LOOKS, AVID DISCS FRONT AND REAR, GIANT GEOMENTRY SAME AS THE TOP OF THE RANGE 890 (FANTASTIC RIDING POSITION),RIGIDA ZAC 2000 DEEP SECTION RIMS
Weaknesses:FRONT CRANK SUNTOUR SR MR252
Similar Products Used:RACELINE ENDURO,MERIDA , GIANT YUKON
Bike Setup:STANDARD ...BUT HOPE TO REPLACE THE FRONT CRANK
Bottom Line:THIS BIKE IS THE AUSTRALIAN GIANT ATX 840 2001 MODEL.
IAM RELATIVELY NEW TO THE SPORT SO WHAT IT IS WORTH.....
THE BIKE GOES AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS AND THE AVID DISCS STOPS IT EVEN BETTER IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS..
RIDING POSITION 4 ME IS EXCELLENT IT FELT FAR MORE COMFORTABLE THEN ANY OTHER BIKE I TRIED.
READING THE MTBREVIEWS ON THE RST GAMMA EL FRONT SUSPENSION IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS NOT THE BEST BUT SO FAR IT HAS PERFORMED OK.
THE REAR OLIVA CASSETTE AND DERAILER CHANGES WELL.
THE FRONT CRANK IS TERRIBLE AND I WAS TOLD AT THE BIKE SHOP (OF COURSE AFTER I BOUGHT THE BIKE THAT THIS CRANK IS NOT SO GOOD)I WILL PROBABLY UPGRADE TO A OLIVA CRANK WHICH GIANT MAYBE SHOULD OF DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THE RIMS HAVE TAKEN SOME GOOD HITS AND ARE STILL TRUE.. BEING A 2001 MODEL (A NEW BIKE STILL) I GOT IT AT THE PRICE OF A 2002 YUKON SO IT WAS EXCELLENT VALUE FOR MONEY.
A GOOD BIKE FOR NEW MTB RIDERS FEELS COMFORTABLE AND INSPIRES CONFIDENCE AND NOT A BIKE U R LIKELY TO GROW OUT OF TOO QUICKLY.

WOULD LOVE TO SEE OTHER REVIEWS FROM AUSSIES OUT THERE THAT OWN THIS BIKE.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Kris a Weekend Warrior from Sydney
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001
Favoriate Trail:Oxford Falls area
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $975.00
Purchased At:Supreme Cycles, Narrabeen
Strengths:Stiff Frame
Fairly light for price
Tires (WTB Primal Raptors)
Front Suspension Fork (Rock Shox Indy)
Weaknesses:Wheels always bend and need to be trued
Rear derallieur is hard to adjust
Cables always stretch
To heavy for Cross country racing
Way to Light for downhilling
Front Suspension Fork (Rock Shox Indy)
Bike Setup:Stock
Bottom Line:A great bike for a younger and lighter person. If you replaced the wheels you would have quite a good trail bike for the price. The front fork is good to have, but if you have ever tried anything more expensive your gonna hate it for it's lack of rigidty and travel. It's also way to soft even for a person of 75 kg.
The frame however is strong and regularly handels smaller drops (2-3 feet)so long as you don't hit them at nutter speed.

The wheels always bend, dent or get flat spots.

Still a good value bike for lighter people

Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Alex ? a Cross Country Rider from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Favoriate Trail:browns to great northern
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $890.00
Purchased At:cranks St Ives
Strengths:very good tyres(WTB vilociraptors) climbs well light for the price strong frame good brakes
Weaknesses:rear derailleur isn't very good you need to play with the suspention nobs before you get it how you want it the brakes rub on the back and both brakes squeal the cables never stop strechingthe rims get flat spots and always need to be trued
Similar Products Used:none
Bike Setup:as it came
Bottom Line:this is a good bike for the young rider
learn about how to ajust everything first
if your shifting up isn't up to stndard then shift down to 8 at the back and using an allen key and pliers lossen the bolt and tighten the cable
put a fey drops of chain oil onto the suspention wipers every so often to make them slide
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by johnny a Weekend Warrior from singapore, singapore
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Favoriate Trail:bukit timah
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $900.00
Strengths:frame upgradable
front disc brake
tires
Weaknesses:low end components
Bike Setup:shimano xt hubs
mavic 223
rockshox sid's
shimano st disc brakes
Bottom Line:a good bike worth the money. you can always upgrade to rear disc brakes.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Big Si a Weekend Warrior from Bradford
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000
Favoriate Trail:Bingley Bash
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $800.00
Purchased At:Terrian nr Keighley (great)
Strengths:Good set up
Disc not bad for the price
Like saddle
Smooth shifting
Nice paint job
Good tyres
Weaknesses:Pad on breaks wear too quick
Front shock is a little bouncy (what do you expect for £400????)


Bike Setup:Will upgrade drive chain and front shock.
Bottom Line:Great bike, good grin factor. Basically a very good start with many possible up grades. Thumbs up!!!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by wazza a Weekend Warrior from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000
Favoriate Trail:Kuringai Chase
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $450.00
Strengths:Value
Upgradeable
Tyres (kevlar velociraptors)
Front disc
Weaknesses:RST 381 EL shock - no rebound. Too fast acting.
Hubs very poor quality
Shifters lower end Shimano
Similar Products Used:Giant ASP
Yukon 229
Bike Setup:Stock at the moment until I break something
Bottom Line:Worth the money and suits me until I get some more time away from the family.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Allan Quinn a Weekend Warrior from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000
Favoriate Trail:blue mountains or the nasho
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $590.00
Strengths:Value for money
Front disc
Rigid frame
Weaknesses:Low-end components
Bike Setup:Added clipless pedals
About to add XT deore gears, shifters - whole new drivetrain
New pads, grips
Bottom Line:A top value bike, which was a fantastic entry level bike for a newbie such as myself. Giant seem to have a knack for building very competent bikes at an affordable price.
Six months down the track, i'm now shelling out for new gears and shifters. A new front shock will also be needed soon, but the RST does the job well enough for now.
All in all, a good starting bike with the potential to be improved with a bit of spare cash!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Herbie a Cross Country Rider from Pietermaritzburg
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000
Favoriate Trail:Indlovo classic
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Superman paint-job, front disc-brake, stiff and light frame,
brilliant value for money, double walled rims.
Weaknesses:none for me
Similar Products Used:Giant boulder with rst 460, giant yuokon, and Kona lawa dome
Bike Setup:rst 381 el, 21.5 inch frame, i've added VP clipless pedals and conti Town+Country for road useage
Bottom Line:Shaggedelic cross-country bike, light and cheap a rare combination, strong frame, good components(although not deore), and great shocks. I give it 5 flamin' chilis(or whatever that is)This bike is perfect for cross-country or light downhill riders who's budget dont allow much
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Marty a Weekend Warrior from Canada, eh!
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Strengths:price to bike ratio
Weaknesses:indys!! though great for general riding.. they fall a tad short in th etrully rough stuff
Similar Products Used:specialazed hardrock... 'noodle frame bike'
Bike Setup:xt 'v' lx mix here and there
Bottom Line:good bike for the money... upgradable frame rides nice.. not overly stiff but as good compromise... good entry level components.. but once you get good enough to use better gear.. gets a tad expensivi to swap...
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Stephen Harrington a Weekend Warrior from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:The RST forks and front disc are a good addition. Good stiff frame, great graphics.
Weaknesses:Rear derallieur and brake levers.
Similar Products Used:Marin Bear Valley
Bike Setup:Stock
Bottom Line:I recently emmigrated to Oz from the UK and had to leave my RTS 1 behind, I bought the ATX 840 for it's price and looks.
I wasn't disappointed, the bike handles well with both the RST shocks and the front disc being good additions, I'd reccommend this bike to any beginner/intermediate or someone who doesn't want to squander their life savings.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by jas wong a Cross Country Rider from singapore
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000
Favoriate Trail:bukit timah nature reserve
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Good disc brake . Wtb tire really tear up tracks. nice graphic on frame. Rst 381 front shock is very responsive
Weaknesses:Stiff frame
Similar Products Used:Specialized rockhopper A1 comp
Bike Setup:Stock setup except a pair or spd is used.
Bottom Line:It can climb very well. Quite a light bike for this price range. It is race ready. I personally like the design very much.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Joseph James a Weekend Warrior from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000
Favoriate Trail:
Pipeline, Heathcote National Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Value for Money
Frame Strength
Comfortable Saddle
Formula MD-1 Front Disc
Weaknesses:
No Rear Discs
Red Sidewall on Tyres
No rebound adjustment on RST 381 EL (softness adjustment only)
Similar Products Used:
Giant Yukon SE
Mongoose DX 4.0
Giant Carbon
Bike Setup:
Australian version has RST 381 EL, 17.5 Frame and Blue, Black Red, Colour Scheme.
Otherwise Stock with Time ATAC Pedals
Bottom Line:Nice upright feel. RST 381 EL is smooth and Formula front disc works well.
Saddle has a groove in centre to ease pain on
crown jewels on a long ride.
For USD$590 a kick arse bike
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Gordo a Cross-Country Rider from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Whites Hill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
This bike is very strong and relaible, it is really a beginners bike, but it handles quite well in all conditions, great for climbing and downhill.
Weaknesses:
The componentry that this bike comes with is at the bottom of the range,
Bike Setup:
21 Frame, Diacomp V-brakes, Shimano STX rear derailier, Shimano Alivio front derailier, rockshox indy s front suspension.
Bottom Line:Overall, this bike is great for beginner to intermediate level riders, and is strong and reliable and a nice colour blue.
Overall Rating:4






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