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Giant Glory DH

MSRP $
# of Reviews 33
Average Rating 5/5
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Description:Constructed with ALLUXX butted Aluminium with an 8.8” travel, the bike has a low bottom bracket with a longer wheelbase which work well together to provide a low centre of gravity giving the bike supreme stability when it reaches maximum speeds.



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    Submitted by wyspa_wwa a Downhiller from warsaw poland
    Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
    Favorite Trail:fast singletrails
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Purchased At:Giant Poland
    Strengths:Great handling on high speed. GREAT fox 40 - I love this fork. Well working brakes (saint). Good curving
    Weaknesses:Low mounted cranks - if it's a weekness - It's almost impossible to pedal during turns.
    Similar Products Used:stinky with 66 (for longer time), and try rides on: demo 8 with 888 WC '08, bullit with 66 rc2x, sunn radical with 888 rc2x
    Bike Setup:(factory setup) glory DH 8.8' travel / fox 40 / dhx 5.0 / saint brakes
    tires currently:F- maxiss high roller 2.5 soft, R - maxiss dh minion 2.5 42a
    Bottom Line:Very nice bike, quite heavy but you won't feel it when riding. VERY stabile on high speed, and quite well turning.
    GREAT fork (fox 40) it's worth to take time and setup it well.
    NIce rear suspension -botomless and well working during braking (no ~DOPE needed).
    Nice brakes - strong enough with nice modulation.

    Overall: faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast ONE - very

    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by taylorironhorse a Downhiller from Davis, CA
    Date Reviewed: August 23, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Northstar at Tahoe
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $3300.00
    Purchased At:Northstar
    Strengths:Very plush, rediculous components for the price, corners amazing, jumps well but stays on the ground in rocks and roots. What surprised me the most is its amazing pedaling efficiency. NO PEDAL BOB!!! Very happy with my purchase. It is truly the ultimate racing machine.
    Weaknesses:None at all, I just get too worried about scratching the beautiful paint.
    Similar Products Used:Specialized Demo, Iron Horse Sunday, Kona Stinky...
    Bike Setup:Stock 2008 Glory DH, Fox 40 RC2, DHX 5.0, Shimano Saint brakes... it just keeps going
    Bottom Line:The best downhill race machine that your bike can buy. Amazing components, paintjob, company service. Very very good bike that exceeds all your racing needs.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jack a Downhiller from
    Date Reviewed: July 26, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Mundaring
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $2650.00
    Purchased At:lbs
    Strengths:best value DH bike, great components, looks good and almost everything
    Weaknesses:little bit heavy on the heavy side, everybody has one (but that must mean something)
    Similar Products Used:07 Giant STP1
    Bike Setup:08 glory Dh1 with red wellgo mg1 pedals
    Bottom Line:Awesome bike, extremely good value, looks really good.
    Its just an awesome bike with really good specs. =)
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by chuckies_here a Racer from Brisbane, Queensland, Austriala
    Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Private onessss
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $1500.00
    Purchased At:Internett
    Strengths:Everything, Corners like nothing else(well besides the sunday) Drifts like crazy. I bought the frame and build it up with my own spec.
    Weaknesses:WEIGHT!
    Similar Products Used:V-10, Most norco Dh bikes, Yeti 303, IronHorse Sunday
    Bike Setup:Boxxer world cups, Fox DHX shock, Hadleys on 721s, Monkey Light DH bars, Vice stem, Thomson Post And it still weights 20kg.
    Bottom Line:Very very good bike, I much rahter it over many prestige frames out there.
    Weight is a bit of an issue when most people what the lightest of the light.
    But all in all a bery good bike and would recomend it to anybody.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Roy a Weekend Warrior from LA
    Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Purchased At:Local Shop
    Strengths:Maestro suspension is Butter! Butter! Butter! Awesome components for the price.
    Weaknesses:tight cockpit but it is a downhill race bike
    Similar Products Used:Gemini, Bullitt, Kona stinky
    Bike Setup:Stock 2008 set-up: Ready to go right out the door. What more could I ask for...even the seat is carbon fiber with titanium rails- Crazy!
    Bottom Line:The bike is smooth. The suspension is butter. I felt weird buying a "Giant" but it is well engineered product. You can't go wrong with the components this bike comes with, especially this 2008 model. It pulls up nicely, flies straight, and corners well.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Neal Challinor a Downhiller from Salop
    Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Anywhere with a chair lift
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $6000.00
    Purchased At:Wheelies
    Strengths:Unbelieveably plush suspension system that inspires confidence. The bike really does represent value for money because the quality of components is unreal.
    Weaknesses:I really don't think there are any.
    Similar Products Used:VP Free, V 10, Big Hit, M1, Stab, 223, I Drive DH.
    Bike Setup:Stock, straight out of the box.
    Bottom Line:This bike rules. There really is nothing on this bike you need to replace before you ride. It is hard to explain just how unreal this bike is. If you want to ride downhill or race this bike could well be the one for you. It is also worth remembering that comparable bikes in rip of Britain are an extra £1000 at the least. I considered a Sunday Team but the kit on it is not comparable to that on the Glory. I'm 5'8 tall and ride a medium which is a great fit. This bike is seriously good. Test one and buy one!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jeff Gatchell a Downhiller from Australia
    Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Thredbo
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Purchased At:Central Coast
    Strengths:Cornering, soaking up the scary stuff, Braking,
    Weaknesses:Not getting this bike earlyer
    Similar Products Used:Giant Glory 8,
    Bike Setup:Standard, had to bye peddels, this bike is so good standard.
    Bottom Line:Just picked up this bike 29/2/08 after selling my Glory 8 freeride and mate this thing is just too much fun to ride.
    Rode thredbo and this bike is faultless!!Giant Glory DH1 must be the best priced well kitted bike on the market by a long shot.Its got the stoke factor to keep you grinning for days after.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by nate a Downhiller from Quincy, California, USA
    Date Reviewed: February 29, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Arcata race course
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $3500.00
    Purchased At:Plumas Epeditions
    Strengths:The bike feels really stable over just about anything. and the fox 40 is amazing.
    Weaknesses:The rims are not very strong if you plan on doing any hucking. The bike is a little much$$
    Similar Products Used:giant faith 2 which i hated and a giant reign x2 which i still use as my all mountain bike.
    Bike Setup:2008 Giant glory dh all stock besides the grips
    Bottom Line:Great bike for any downhill fanatic but if you're planning on using it for jumping or free riding the bike will need some different wheels.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by stephan du toit a Downhiller from cape town, south africa
    Date Reviewed: October 26, 2007
    Favorite Trail:kloofnek
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Strengths:This bike is super stable over just about anything, corners like a F1 racer, and pops out of jumps like a mx bike.
    Weaknesses:Its a bit heavy, and the lower headset bearing needs alot of constant work since it is not a sealed cartridge bearing unit. Also the pivots need constand care, they tend to loosen quite often.
    Similar Products Used:azonic recoil, cannondale superv dh(the good old days),produx sidewinder
    Bike Setup:marzocchi 888, sram x.0, answer protaper bars, thomson seatpost, avid codes, ringle abbah hubs, sun mtx rims, race face evolve dh cranx,
    Bottom Line:If you want a bike that does pretty much what you want it to do, this is the bike to go for. It seems to 'squat' down over reallyrough terrain like rock sections and root chutes, wich makes it super controlled and stable.
    Also, it corners like a dream with the low bb hight and relatively steep headangle
    This bike is aimed at the rider who is able to look ahead at his racing line, and be confident that his bike will follow obediently.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by kris a Downhiller from holly springs usa
    Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $2210.00
    Purchased At:ebay
    Strengths:this bike is spected out nicely for the price comeing stock with a fox 40 rc2,fox dhx 4.0, mavic 729 rims,hays 9 dh work great.
    the bike feels sturdy off anything with a 20mm thru axle in the front and a 12mm axle in the rear it tracks nicely.
    the bike has 8in of travle in the front and 8.8 of bottomless travle in the rear.
    Weaknesses:sizeing is weird to some people but i dont know i am 15 and 5.8 and i ride a small.
    rear hub is a little noisy with the clicker but i have come to like it now
    Similar Products Used:gary fisher sugar one, gary fisher fat possum xt,gary fisher sugar race
    Bike Setup:2006 giant glory,fox 40 rc2,fox dhx 4.0, mavic rims,ringle hubs,hfx 9 dh breaks, kenda tires,e.thirteen crank,x9 siffters and rear der.
    Bottom Line:bottom line is that i love the bike do all ike, i have never owned a downhill bike and now i get the cance to i was a little concerned about the sizeing but like i said i am 5.8 and the bike works great for me but if u are taller go with a meduim or a large frame. i live in north carolina so there are not to many big downhills but i make do with what i have. another thing i was worryed about was the weight a pedeling, but on this bike the weight does not seem to be as heavy as some of the other ones and it will go up a hill with some effort. but once u get to the top of that hill and get to go down it is worth it,\
    the propedal on the shox is very nice. the only thing i might need in a 450 lbs coil or higher but that is just me
    read the owners manals on the fork so many things to mess with
    bottom line i love the bike if you have 2000 laying around go for it!!! it will get many looks from all your friends
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Antony Lapinskas a Downhiller from melbourne
    Date Reviewed: September 4, 2007
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $4800.00
    Strengths:awsome spec bike for the price fox 40 rc2 are sick best fork iv ever looked at and ridden. tricky to setup loads of adjustments, rear shck is mad heaps of travel, brakes are great and the drive train is superb
    Weaknesses:tires me out ridding up hill for to long? lol
    Similar Products Used:norco 4by,manik, gt avalanche 0.0,kona stab supreme
    Bike Setup:stock apart from oury lock ons and wellgo mg1's pearl white
    maxxis minions dh'ers 2.7
    Bottom Line:mad bike buy and 2007 model because sram x0 is better that shimano xtr/xt featured on the 2008 bike there the same colour anyway
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Michael a Downhiller from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
    Favorite Trail:You Yangs
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $2200.00
    Purchased At:Goldcross Cycles
    Strengths:-Fairly low bottom bracket, even for a long travel bike. Makes it realy stable at high or low speed.
    -Considering you want to go faster, the 8.8 inches of travel will be enough for any track, no need for V-10s in my opinion, at least not in Aus.
    -With pro-pedal turned on max, the suspension is still VERY active! It also pedals fairly well, just not as well as the ECD. The bike actualy feels very front high, so it may feel cramped unless you get a large, I'm 6.2' and its a bit cramped, my mate using a large sprints forward a bit so a large suits him better.
    -Weight is centered and low in the frame. The main weight of the bike, like the older Giant DH, is centered and low in the frame where you have the shock, linkages and forward drivetrain components. The frame is heavy here as well. You can see on the left side of the frame the attention to detail with physics that Giant has used. They made it very balanced. All this weight centering means it is very stable at all speeds! Just try it, even laying the bike over around a flat corner, on or off road.
    -Spec list. Bike would cost nearly $10k AU to build up in parts for retail price. It is a very cheap bike, especialy coming with Fox 40RC2's.
    -Upright bike. Only suited to downhill, so steep trails. Very slack head angle
    Weaknesses:-Higher weight than other bikes, from the box it was 21.5kg, But as I mentioned the weight is centered and low
    Bottom Line:I ride a Glory 07 and theres absolutely nothing wrong with it after small realy minor changes... that being: -Get rid of the downhill tubes (unless you realy realy need them. ie. trail known for flats). They come with 2.5/2.7 Kenda downhill tubes which weigh 460 grams each, I halved my tube weight exactly by changing to a 1.75 front and 2.1 standard tubes. They work fine.
    -It comes with a carbon seat with Ti rails. I changed the seat to a stronger one because my mate bent his.
    -The wheelset is fairly heavy, maybe change the front wheel. I will be running a SingleTrack front because it is heaps lighter and I dont need that extra strength where I spend most of my riding.


    The Glory is running everything you need, you cant do any better on spec, its ready to race. Just take off some weight. I swapped tubes, front wheel, tires, bars, stem, saddle. That has it down to around 19.5kg

    VERY CHEAP!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Anonymous a Racer from UK
    Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Mynydd Du
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Strengths:2006 model looks good, corners well, very supple rear end with the Fox DHX 4.0. The Potential of the bike.
    Bargain at £1250 frame only, considering competitors are approx. £1800+
    Weaknesses:Paint is quite thin, not too bad though (function over fashion). 2006 was not supplied with rear axle or Carbon shock cover. Headset cups are 1.1/8" top, and 1.5" lower, which is a pain for purchasing new ones.
    Lower bearing on the headset (supplied with frame), is pathetic, loose ball-bearings.
    Sizings are strange and awkward.
    Similar Products Used:2003 Scott High Octane
    Bike Setup:2006 frame, Fox DHX 4.0, 2004 Boxxer World Cup, Avid Juicy Carbons, Hollzfeller Cranks 165mm Howitzer, EA70 bars, Thomson layback post, Hope Bulbs on Mavic EX721, Maxxis Minion F
    Bottom Line:Brilliant bike, brought my riding on incredibly. Sizing is awkward, i have a Small frame, and at 6ft, i think a Medium may have been better? I recommend newer forks, such as 2005+, with 8" travel, as geometry was designed around such forks i would imagine. My head angle may be on the steep side with 7" Boxxers but i like it, although i am investing in 2007 Boxxers World Cups to improve this problem.
    My current spec'd bike is pretty light, estimate at about 41-43lb, but i could save weight on every component to reduce to probably 38lb if i were lucky.

    Overall, brillinat bike, improved my riding and results, very stable in the air, yet flickable, and easy to muscle/throw around turns and techincal sections. Good on tight courses.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by leroy a Downhiller from Koper, Slovenija
    Date Reviewed: June 13, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Maribor
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:maestro linkage, low bb and angles, good components.
    Weaknesses:too heavy with original setup.
    Similar Products Used:Sintesi Python, Big Hit DH '02
    Bike Setup:40RC2, DHX 5.0, 729EX, Minion ST F+R, X9, Race Face cranks and BB, Roox steam, Pro taper, Thomson seatpost, Bel Air seat, Formula K24, e13, MX30 flats,...
    Bottom Line:The bike has a very good handling, stable on high speeds. Quick confidence with it, no regrets in buying this bike.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by frango a Weekend Warrior from Warsaw, Poland
    Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Portes du Soleil, France
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Strengths:Maestro suspension, durability, quality, design, setup
    Weaknesses:weight (well, not anymore ;) )
    Similar Products Used:Giant Faith 2, SC S8
    Bike Setup:Glory DH 2006 XS, Fox 40, Fox DHX Air 5.0, Avid J7 brakes, Sram X9 RD and shifter, Shimano Dura-Ace 11-21 gear, RF cocpit , seatpost and Evolve DH crankset, Mavic ex729/Ringle wheels, Larsen tires for city ride, Schwalbe Big Betty for mountains, Tioga racing saddle
    Bottom Line:This is an update to my previous review.
    I didn't manage to get Boxxer WC at good price, so I switched some other components. The bike weighs 18,3kg (40,6 lbs) now. It will get Thomson Elite x4 and EA70 DH bar soon. I will also build new wheels - Mavics xm321, Hope Pro II hubs and DT Competition spokes. I will go down with weight to 17,6kg (39,1 lbs) :) It will be real racing machine, then ;)
    The bike is just great. After few rides in the European and Polish mountains I can just say you can go really fast on it! With more than 220mm (8,8") rear wheel travel you can go through everything. If anything goes wrong, the bike will handle it and save you ;) it forgives a lot of rider's mistakes ;) It's the best DH bike I have ever ridden
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Sam a Weekend Warrior from sydney, australia
    Date Reviewed: May 30, 2007
    Favorite Trail:the holy trail
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $1250.00
    Purchased At:phantom cycles
    Strengths:nothing is too hard for this bike! it eats up even the nastiest terrain. feels fantastic in the air too.
    i was always a little sketchy in the air on my other bikes, but the glory has given me so much confidence now.
    nice low front end on the bike, combined with low bb etc... means the bike is a weapon in the corners.
    Weaknesses:could be a little lighter, but who cares! i rarely ride up hills on it, so i like the added bulk when decending.
    Similar Products Used:faith 2 888 rc2x, faith 1 boxxer teams, ironhorse sunday, santa cruz V10
    Bike Setup:07 boxxer teams, funn low rise bars, sic direct mount stem, avid juicy 5s, E13
    Bottom Line:i bought this bike as a frame, and built it with the components off my faith 1. i had flipped the links on the faith, and was told not to bother with the glory as it was too similar- WHATEVER! The bikes are sooo different.
    For the money, i think you cant beat the glory. it rides just as well as a V10, but feels a bit more flickable.
    buy one, and watch you riding improve instantly.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Kyle M a Weekend Warrior from Calgary Alberta Canada
    Date Reviewed: May 8, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Anything in Fernie
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $5000.00
    Purchased At:Pedal Head
    Strengths:This bike wants to go. The second i got on it, i could not believe how fast it wanted to go when pedaling downhill. The back wheel just tracks right to the ground. the suspension is one of the best designs on the market right now (along with vpp and DW link)
    Weaknesses:I didn't like some of the origional spec but I have changed parts to suit my style and ability. paint is not the strongest. makes me have to wait for my friends on the trail because it is too fast.
    Similar Products Used:Kona skinky, Banshee scream.
    Bike Setup:06 888rc2x, saint back break, juicy 7 front, block 8 mag pedals, fox dhx air, x.0 der and shifter, minion 2.5 front and timberwolf back.
    Bottom Line:this bike is not only good for racing but great for freeriding. i have never raced in my life but i love to rip trails as fast as i can and when i'm going big i like to know my bike can handle it. i have never been worried that this bike will fail be when i'm in the air. it is super stable at high speeds and corners like mad. my buddies will pedal their ass off trying to keep up to me while i coast. that is how well the suspension works. bottom line, if you like to do long shuttles, freeriding, stunts and any kind of fast DH this bike will rock your world.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Vincent a Racer from ontario
    Date Reviewed: April 23, 2007
    Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
    Bottom Line:I was wondering about the sizing ive tried the 16.5 but I found it a bit cramped im 5'11 so I guess I could oped for the 17 but that does mean a bigger bike not sure how much of a difference that does make I do race but I was just wondering what people were running according to there height.
    -thanks
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Tyler Klassen a Weekend Warrior from Kelowna
    Date Reviewed: April 21, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Whistler
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $5000.00
    Purchased At:internet
    Bottom Line:Wonderful fun to ride
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Ian a Cross Country Rider from Steamboat , CO
    Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:Price, value, fork, cornering, everything about this machine slow speed manouverability
    Weaknesses:none that i could find, so far - well the paint is weak
    Similar Products Used:Stinky, Iron horse sunday, trek session 77
    Bike Setup:Stock U.S. build
    Bottom Line:Oh my God, Oh my God. I only rode my wife's xs this weekend (mine is on its way) but I could not fault this machine coming down Amassa Back in Moab. Actually able to pedal this up all but the most technical lines on the trail (small point I know - but it can be done). At slow speeds the bike is still manouverable, at speed is where this puppy really takes off. There was no line or drop i did not feel uncomfortable on, corners like it's on rails - even through sandy sections. As far as value for money or more importantly performance for money there is nothing out there like this machine. My wife also rode the same trail up and down (she weighs 115 lbs) was also able to ride it up most of the trail. She is coming from an xc race back ground does like like catching air. It took her 2 minutes (litterally) to become instantly comfortable at speed and in the air flying through lines she would not have attempted on her xc bike. This bike promotes speed and agility through the most burly lines
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Mark Noftall a from st.john's
    Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Purchased At:Earle Industries
    Strengths:Low Center of gravity. Nimble, quick acceleration.
    Weaknesses:None so far
    Similar Products Used:Giant ac1, Rocky RM6,
    Bike Setup:2006 model-Manitou Travis, DHX 4, Mavic 823 rims, ringle hubs, Saint Cranks, Hayes Brakes.
    2007 Model- Same just Boxxer world cup and Avid codes and a dhx 5
    Bottom Line:This bike is the best all around freeride/Dh bike i have ever ridden. thats why i bought it for a second season. and i will get one from now till they stop making them. its low, fast and jumps very well for a downhill rig.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by alpha jong a Downhiller from phils
    Date Reviewed: January 14, 2007
    Favorite Trail:patiis trail
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Purchased At:john wilkie
    Strengths:everything in it!
    Weaknesses:none. mrp tap-out
    Similar Products Used:kona stab, azonic recoil
    Bike Setup:boxxer team with integrated funn stem, giant dh glory, xt 4piston hydro, raceface northshore 165mm crank, mallet pedal, ultegra rd & cassette etc etc
    Bottom Line:this beast handles everything
    climb so well
    rockies & rooty never cares
    corners perfect
    very stable beast machine
    perfect for DH (need for speed)
    this year the glory is in the hands of GIANT!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Andy Godden a Downhiller from Gloucester
    Date Reviewed: December 26, 2006
    Favorite Trail:Cwmcarn
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:Everything, Fox 40 fork is amazing! The maestro suspension is fantastic over rocky and rooty terrain. The weight is spread about well over the bike which gives it great acceleration out of berms.
    Weaknesses:None
    Similar Products Used:Kona Stinky Deluxe 2006 w/ Deemaxes (my last bike), Norco Team DH, Cannondale Judge FR 1 etc..
    Bike Setup:Stock Giant Glory 2007
    Bottom Line:I've only used it a few times, but already I can see how much better it is compared to any other bike. It makes rooty technical stuff way easier and feels amazingly agile in the air for a reasonably heavy bike. Usually when I get a new bike I have an urge to upgrade it, but this bike is ideal how it is :)

    5 Flamin' Chilis for this bike all round!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Harald Bossmann a Downhiller from germany
    Date Reviewed: November 11, 2006
    Favorite Trail:Bischofsmais Bike park
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $4500.00
    Purchased At:s-tec
    Strengths:Very plush,corners extremely well, not too heavy, acclerates insane (for a Downhiller),looks very clean,low center of gravity, suspension active under all conditions
    Weaknesses:cable routing (zipties needed to keep everything in place),paint a bit weak, not the lightest bike out there.
    carbonfiber shockguard and rearaxle not included in frameset.
    Similar Products Used:Demo 9, Banshee Scream, Balfa BB7 ,orange Patriot and a couple of other dhbikes
    Bike Setup:888 RC2X, formula oro, saint cranks, duraace , syncros mentals,truvativ ,sun ringle abbah, double track ,michelin c16, raceface seatpost, fox dhx 4.0, blackspire chainguide
    Bottom Line:Best handling Dhbike ihave ever ridden (by far).
    Due to its low bottom bracket and the relatively short wheelbase it is very nimble. Due to the huge amount of travel and the maestro suspension, brakes are not realy needed. It is also a fairly good extreme freerider.
    I have ridden a lot of dhbikes over the last 10 years, but the way my riding has changed after switching to this bike can only be compared to the change after switching from a hardtail to a fullsuspensionbike. ( And my last bike was a Banshee Scream). If you love dhracing and shreding the bikepark this is probably one of the best and fastest bikes out there.
    (I haven`t ridden the 303 so i do not know if it is the best bike out there).

    5+ chilis
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Luke a Downhiller from Melbourne, Oz.
    Date Reviewed: October 30, 2006
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $3500.00
    Purchased At:lbs
    Strengths:Rides damn well. cornering, brakeing, pedalling, all spot on. i like the frame sizing, works sweet for me. specs on it standard are unreal for price.
    Weaknesses:Paint is a bit on the thin and weak side...

    not any real problems. to nitpick... weight isnt lightest. grips are woeful, easy fix. tyres arnt great.
    Similar Products Used:bighit, faith, demo, reign, lobo, lts, jamis, kona.
    Bike Setup:07 Australian spec'd Glory, but with 888's and saint brakes.
    Bottom Line:No weakness i can find with this bike is enough to take away from 5/5.

    the ride is phenomenal, inspires confidence, so much fun to ride.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by frango a Weekend Warrior from poland
    Date Reviewed: October 15, 2006
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Purchased At:local distributor
    Strengths:suspension, build quality, componets, price
    Weaknesses:high stand over
    Similar Products Used:giant faith 2 '05, santa cruz S8
    Bike Setup:fox 40rc2, fox dhx air 5.0, sram x.9, race face crankset and other stuff, ringle/mavic wheels, hope mono6ti brakes, etc. weight 19.05kg (42.3 lbs)
    Bottom Line:the bike is ready for racing out of the box. it's a bit too heavy for a modern race bike, but after you change some parts, you may even go down to 18,5kg (41lbs). I got size XS; the bike is short, so it turns fast; it accelerates extremely good, thanks to maestro suspension; it stable in the air and at the high speed; with the fox dhx air 5.0 you can adjust it every way you want - for racing or for jumping and dropping. I plan to swith the fork for boxxer WC '06 or '07 and e13 SRS chainguide for LG1 (w/o bashguard).
    if you want to see my bike, look for it on Giant forums
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by ben a Downhiller from australia
    Date Reviewed: September 19, 2006
    Favorite Trail:amazon track
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $5500.00
    Purchased At:spearmans
    Strengths:really stiff frame and solid linkages,bike is very active but also pedals good for a dh bike.top shelf parts kit.corners very