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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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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: |
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: |
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