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Submitted by
Adam Turner
a Downhiller
from Maine
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | ERNIES CYCLE SHOP | | Strengths: | fast, low center of gravity, linkage, good cornering. | | Weaknesses: | location of rear shock. | | Bike Setup: | boxxer race, fox DHX 5.0, shimano XTR, and others | | Bottom Line: | the linkage on this bike is really nifty, you could sink down 3 or 4 inches and not even be using an inch of suspension. the chainguide may look like a piece but it works. the shock placement is garbage, the shock collects more dirt than the rest of the bike, but all that means is your gonna have to do some scrubbing at the end of every day. i dont regret a single penny spent on this bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
waui buhaui
a Weekend Warrior
from iloilo city
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | mt. dila dila | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | very stable at high speeds and corners,moto link suspension,very attractive color,no pedal bobbing, best dh frame ever | | Weaknesses: | shock location,paint easily chips,lots of bearings to maintain,very hard to wash especially the linkage area | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale judge,santa cruz bullit,pacific krit,lapierre black dh,turner dhr | | Bike Setup: | 888rc,mrp,saint brakes,easton lo rise,holzfeller,xtr | | Bottom Line: | at first look the frame looks awkward with its high standover height,but after reading reviews from mtbr and other magazines,ive decided to get one...it actually was the best choice ive made!best bike ive ever ridden!super plush suspension and excellent cornering ability.and pedals even better than a giant ac.this is actually my 2nd giant dh,the first one was a medium,which was big for me but i actually won a local dh race riding the wrong frame size.eventually sold it and got a bullit and never got used to it.2 dnf races actually.sold it and got another giant dh...this time i think is the right size.And im keeping this one as long as i can | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcel Linne
a Downhiller
from Littleton, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Wild Thing, Motorhead, Cowboy Up | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend | | Strengths: | Absolutely rails the corners - you can get on the pedals early and not worry about any bob if you dial the shock in correctly - love the extra room in the cockpit - I have a longer torso and shorter legs and can really move well on this frame - the extra cost is worth it - my riding has improved immensely since I switched to this frame. | | Weaknesses: | shock location - mine came with a piggy back Swinger six way which is nearly impossible to adjust - however, once you do get it dialed it does not matter any more and the hassle is quickly forgotten - the only other issue is mud,dirt,and dust on the shock due to location - easy fix though - I custom fabbed a fender and have eliminated that problem - I agree with the others that say dump the Giant chain guide - I run a E13 SRS and have had no problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Big Hit, Ironhorse SGS, Bullit, V-10, VP-Free, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Size large frame, Marzocchi Super T with longer x-firm Dirt Jumper springs and a dab more oil, Swinger six-way, Azonic Outlaw wheelset, Sram drivetrain, Bontrager Big Earl bars with Hayes hydraulics and Dangerboy levers, Maxxis Minion front and Maxxis High Roller 3D rear, E13 chainguide - TASTY! | | Bottom Line: | I strongly recommend this frame for anyone wanting to upgrade to a full on DH rig - this one rocks - I ride on a regular basis with guys on V-10's, VPP Free's, M-1's/M-3's and have no problem keeping up and taking a charge when I feel the need - I am still suprised at how nice this thing hits it - from soaking it up to letting me pedal without the bobbing to railing berms and turns - SICK! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | BSP | | Strengths: | Very nice frame, low BB makes it corner very nice, my riding improved a lot after riding this bike, it is very stable at speeds although a longer wheel base wouldn't hurt, maybe because my frame is Small? the geometry is awesome and it pedals very well, I got used to the bike in less than 2 rides. Smooth and very quiet. | | Weaknesses: | A few things to consider are the stock chain guard, it is garbage. It moves around when you hit stuff along the course, get an e-13 and your problems will be solved, some drilling might be involved. If you want to get the 2003 frame working on the shock is a bit of a hassle because you have to dismount it just to pump air on it, 2004 and after models have the reservoir on the frame so that was a big improvement. Lots of pivots and those require new bearings every 6 months, DU bushings too, but that is normal on a bike that is ridden hard. | | Similar Products Used: | V10, Norco DH | | Bike Setup: | Dorados, Mavic Deemax, Race face bar, cranks and seat post, sele Italia seat, Yeti lock on grips. | | Bottom Line: | This is a racing machine and it requires tender care after you ride it, but like everything else good maintenance is key, I really like the bike and if you are thinking about getting a DH bike this one should be on the top of your list. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Reece
a Downhiller
from Laguna Hills
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The last one I rode | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Weight - With the right spec, this dude can be set up very light.
Agility - The low center of gravity and race-bred geometry makes this bike very easy to handle both in the air and on the ground.
Fit and finish - This bike is luxury when it's all cleaned up. It can look really good with a few changes and I like that. | | Weaknesses: | Low clearance - the already low slung bottom bracket combined with its unique linkage makes for a little less clearance (no less, however, when considering the chain ring though).
- Adjusting the rear suspension - It's really difficult to get in there and work on it if you don't have the remote system.
- The rear suspension linkage - Yet again, that linkage is a pain the but to take apart and work on. It's also very expensive to replace. You also have to check on it regularly to make certain that nothing has crept loose (very common problem it seems).
- Racer support - There aren't that many dealers in my area that have the parts for or know how to service this bike properly. They usually carry all the comfort bikes, but not full suss DH.
- The chain guide is dog $hit - Sorry, I tried not to hate on it for so long, but it looks like hell. It's also a pain in the ass to get another one because of mounting issues and chainline issues. Good luck there. | | Similar Products Used: | This bike, but with a Dorado (original set up), San Andreas, Shockwave 9.5, Iron Horse SGS and Sunday, Azonic Eliminator DH, Santa Cruz V10 and VP Free, Foes DHS Tube, Turner DHR | | Bike Setup: | Switched out the Dorado for a Sherman Slider (huh?) thus changing the geometry and weight a little bit; using a Selle Italia road saddle; road cassette and Duraace road deraily; Race Face carbon bars; MRP System 2 chainguide; Intense Mag 30 wheels; Maxxis Minion 2.35 dh tires | | Bottom Line: | This rig is still the $hit!
I am adding another review because I have changed the bike somewhat and I have ridden and raced it quite a bit, too. I rode a lot of other race bikes and was disappointed with the sluggishness of my current set-ups (this and a Shockwave 9.5). I put on the smaller fork and a lot of lightweight parts and it took on a much more nimble feel as well as a more tricked out and exotic look. It now rides like a lot of those other bikes that I liked. Stoked.
I still think this bike is best on the race course and not so much in the free-riding arena. That's just my preference though. In any case, the Giant is an excellent pedaller when the suspension is tuned properly and it corners very well, too. I still give it thumbs up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Downhiller
from Wales
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mountain ash | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand | | Strengths: | Pedals like a dream on all types of ground,very stable well balanced bike.Takes everything i can through at it and still wants more.Great design looks the biz | | Weaknesses: | Chain guide a bit of a pain and noisey but who cares when the rest of the bike this good | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ac1,kona stinky and gary fisher cake 2 dlx | | Bike Setup: | ringle hubs on sun rims,dmr v12 pedals,changed rear mech to shimano tiagra,azonic dw oversized bars,odi ruffian lock ons | | Bottom Line: | Wow what a bike makes u faster and gives u so much confidence.Manitou swinger rear shock is awsome when setup right.This bike is built like a tank just point and pull the trigger.If u are looking for a downhill beast buy one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julian
a Downhiller
from Oak Ridge, TN, U.S.
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very stable at medium to high speeds. Soaks up large hits very well, and just blows away my old bike when it comes to blasting through rock gardens. | | Weaknesses: | Sluggish at low speeds. Bushings wear out too fast. HFX 9 brakes. Chain guide can be a hassle to straighten out even after lightly hitting a rock. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant dh team (2000) | | Bike Setup: | 45% sag. Supple w/ volume turned in 20% front and rear, and the high speed adjustment turned in a bit. | | Bottom Line: | This bike excels at what it was built for(world cups and nationals). I ride a large and have problems with really tight switchbacks. The only modifications I am making to this bike are switching to a ti spring , upgrading to the Hayes El Camino's, and switch to lighter rims. I really could not be any happier with this bike. The only bikes I have to compare to, are my old dh team, a dh9 and an m1. The dh9 tracked a little better under braking, with the m1 being a little more agile in low speed situations. My old dh team was much more out of control then this bike, and the added stability of the 2004 dh team has helped me greatly. I would take this bike(especially with how it comes spec'd) any day over those other three. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Reece
a Downhiller
from Laguna Hills
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Highly stable at speed and when jumping; plush yet efficient rear suspension; eats up the big stuff no problem; very stout frame; comfortable cockpit. | | Weaknesses: | somewhat heavy, difficult to wheely (relatively), sluggish handling at lower speeds. | | Similar Products Used: | Team Murray Peepee Dragon Whizzer, Mountain Cycle San Andreas, Azonic Eliminator, Kona Stinky, Ironhorse SGSTeam | | Bike Setup: | Dorado DH, Hayes Mag 9, SRAM X9, Shimano DuraAce, Mavic 521(?), Easton Monkeylite Carbon DH..and so on... | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike!!!
This bike immediately changed the way I rode downhill. I am used to riding lighter bikes with far less travel and heft, bikes that are much more agile and easy to flick around on the trail, but also way twitchyer. This thing is a completely different beast. Much of the more technical terrain that I had to spend more time negotiating became a non-issue. Moreover, making the transition to this type of bike instilled a great deal of confidence since every aspect of the courses I was riding became far less challenging and much more fun. Also, I have had no mechanical problems with this bike. I just take it out and go. That makes a day at the mountain so much better.
If you have the $5000+ to get one of these I would not advise against it unless you were getting it lieu of something more exotic like a Foes or something. If you're spending that much dough, then get something ludicrous. If you see one on eBay, however, and it looks clean and is in the $2000 range, then I would suggest finding the cash and placing a bid. You WILL be happy once you get rolling...promise! If you are not an avid downhiller or freerider, then I would highly advise against this bike because it's a real beast under any conditions other than the slopes. It's also a bit more race oriented versus freeride oriented. If you race, your game will improve if you don't already have a bike of this caliber.
Ride on!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garrett Bonds
a Downhiller
from Durango,CO,US
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Silverton Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Specialists | | Strengths: | Good for dirt jumping, soaks up little bumps with ease, good for big drops, takes turns good | | Weaknesses: | Weights a ton, hard to pedal uphill, pain to adjust the rear shock, very bottom pivot on rear always comes out even with threadlocker | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit DH | | Bike Setup: | Stock, A Few upgrades | | Bottom Line: | It is a really good bike. But is really heavy and hard to pedal. I would recommend this bike for people who use the bike for just racing, not just for riding arond. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chronic rider
a Downhiller
from wizzler
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | original sin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250000.00 | | Purchased At: | my shop | | Strengths: | very responsive and likes to get down and dirty | | Weaknesses: | That manitou mrd-x works is the worst fork ever!!!
chain guide sucks too. | | Similar Products Used: | Turnerdhr, Rocky's, santa cruz, ect. | | Bike Setup: | LRG 02 monster, e-13, profile pedals, raceface bars and stem. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very fast once you get it dialed in and instill confidence in it. The four bar single pivot is a great design and tracks very vell thru rough or smooth terrain. I will ride Giant for years to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
t
a Downhiller
from alb,nm,usa
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | ep'd | | Strengths: | everything!!!, read below | | Weaknesses: | giant could have thrown on mag brakes, instead of nines, even thou nines work freakin great | | Similar Products Used: | ive ridden most other dh rigs | | Bike Setup: | stock, and a few minor upgrades | | Bottom Line: | this bike pedals beter that my hardtail, its not too heavy at all!, the manitou spv suspension front and rear make this thing absorb anything and everything with nearly no bottoming, giant is a great company, and has a great warranty, it has a nearly perfect geometry and feel, makin it corner/drop/jump/brake/accelerate/ or do anything better than most. bottom line: if you dh, and can afford this bike, then go for it, its the best deal around, and you will not regret it,,, best bike ive ever owned! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryl LeDuke
a Downhiller
from Squamish BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tim Hortons Express | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | TANTALUS BIKE SHOP | | Strengths: | Suspension sticks to the ground, pedals amazingly, and is a reasonable weight for a DH bike. | | Weaknesses: | The stock chainguide is trash. Do yourself a favor and replace it with an MRP or evil before even talking it for a ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Chumbawumba f4, Kona Stab Primo, Stinky primo | | Bottom Line: | Sick bike. If you have the means, I strongly suggest picking one up. But remeber this is a DH bike not a freeride rig. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Downhiller
from Whistler
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Joyride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | BSP | | Strengths: | The frame is well built, good geometry, great pedaller,good in the corners, good for jumping, soaks up the bumps really well. the price is good for a downhill frame with all the parts it comes with. | | Weaknesses: | the chainline isn't the best, but as long as you're pedaling forward it's fine. shock is right at the rear wheel so it gets a tone of mud on it on wet days. | | Similar Products Used: | my old bike- Specialized Big Hit DH | | Bike Setup: | 2004 frame-came with ringle rear hub, FSA Pig DH headset, Raceface bottom bracket, e-thirteen chainguide, holzfeller cranks, mavic ex721 rims, michi tires, sram derailler/shifter, boxxers.... | | Bottom Line: | good stuff, this bike rips, since i got this bike i've been going faster and faster on everything. the manitou swinger rear shock with reservoir is awesome, there isn't any adjustments on the shock that can't be made easily. it's really stable and has a low centre of gravity which is great for the corners, it isn't too heavy for a downhill bike. great pedalling performance with the rear shock set up just right. the chainguide that it comes with isn't the best, so i got an e-thirteen which works like a charm. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from P-Town
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | N. Berma | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | 8" of plush rising rate travel, Super Stiff rear end, has less bob then most XC bikes I have ridden, Low CG makes the bike rip in the corners | | Weaknesses: | I hate the weight, its a little on the heavy side, but it only is such a big deal b/c I ride the bike as my XC bike. Stock lame, weak, loud chain guide. Chainline | | Similar Products Used: | AC1, Army, Dare | | Bike Setup: | Boxxer Team, XTR, Race Face NS, Titec Hell Bent, Mag 30's, Marzo front hub, Mich. 2.5 front and rear, MRP. | | Bottom Line: | This bike flat out rips. I have used the bike for everthing, XC, freeride, DH riding, street... It has worked well for every type of riding that I have tossed at it. Its not a weakness, but I dont like how much time I had to spend to get the right feel from the shock. I have played with the adjustments a lot to get rid of pedal bob, but still have that plush with the perfect ramp-up. But once you find the sweet spot, you will love it. The bike with my setup on it, sits a lower in its travle to bring down the BB height, and it makes the bike rip in the corners, its stays very stable, but it just makes me more confident in its abilities. I put a MRP world cup on it and it works fine, b/c the stock chain guide is lame and hella weak. And the chain line might bug some people, but its fine for me. The chain only rubs the guide in the biggest cog in the back, and I have yet to miss a shift or drop a chain.
I cant say how it will do on the race course yet due to this being the first season on the bike for me, but I have high hopes for the bike.
Bottom line is that the bike has stupid corner speed, will drop just about anything, is super plush, has almost no bob when the shock it setup right.
Just get it you know you want it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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