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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Cobar
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Glenrock Reserve, Newcastle | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wagga Cycle Centre | | Strengths: | (2005 model) Cheap entry into dual susp/freeride bikes, proven frame design, level of service from dealer. Manitou Stance forks can be internally upgraded if desired. Black paint looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Absolute rubbish Hayes Sole brakes, seatpost fouls the shock when lowered too much, cheap suspension. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock except Hayes 9 HD with an 8" rotor up front (installed before it left the dealer), Maxxis High Rollers, Atomlab aircorp pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike has given me 2.5 years of trouble free fun, and done everything from XC to Thredbo's Cannonball Run DH course (carefully). Nothing has gone wrong with this bike.
I am not a particularly hard rider - no big air or drops, and wouldn't expect too much from this Freeride-Lite bike. If you want something for 6' drops or lack finess, perhaps look elsewhere.
As an entry level into all mountain riding, it's great. You still have enough cash left over to upgrade components if desired, and spares are easy to obtain. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rex
a Weekend Warrior
from Nelson, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | doubledown rotorua | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand | | Strengths: | lightweight, cheap, looks cool in matt black, can be used for lots of different riding types and trails from trailriding to DH to jumps | | Weaknesses: | the stock compontents all have to be upgraded in due course-wheels, brakes, shock and fork, which is expensive | | Bike Setup: | manitou sherman flicks, manitou 4-way swinger air shock, avid juicy 5's, sun singletrack wheels, sram x7 & x9 | | Bottom Line: | Once you have the bike upgraded with decent parts it is an awesome bike, With a good fork/shock combination it can be ridin up DH hills where everyone else has to walk or shuttle, I have had no problems with frame, its the do it all bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Downhiller
from Rocklin, CA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Lightweight, good for fast jump trails. Can be pedaled up hill no problem. | | Weaknesses: | Stock components suck. | | Bike Setup: | 05 frame set w/ Jr T fork, fox vanilla r shock, holzfeller cracks, mtx rims on sun abbah hubs, 12mm rear, saint derailer. HFX and Mag brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Makes a good free ride/all mountain frame. Can handle 8+ foot drops no problem. Excellent on fast jump trails. Saint derailer holds up to the hardest hits. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Kettles
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nogra | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | I havent managed to brake a thing on it yet & i've given it a hard time. | | Weaknesses: | Feels flexy in the bottom bracket but thats probably due to the susspention linkage & bearings, | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit - Norco VPS | | Bike Setup: | Sherman Tripples - Swinger - Hays 9" | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike not the best to go up on but certainly is a dream while screaming down on, It's a bike that'll build confidence each ride & pull you out of trouble with a "How the hell did I pull that off" look. for something with 7"f & 6.6"r susspention it is an awsome bike to flog the trails on, it's 1 very versatile frame | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Viktor
a Weekend Warrior
from Bratislava, Slovakia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | This bike does it all, truly and amazingly. Simple, light and full of life. | | Weaknesses: | Linkage bearings keep breaking every season. | | Bike Setup: | Boxxer ride, manitou swinger air | | Bottom Line: | This is THE bike for those who want to have a single bike for all their desires. The Boxxer Ride compliments this purpose like no other fork except the Totem or Domain. Get prepared to change the bearings in the end of your linkage plates once a year, maybe even more often. Luckily the warranty covers it, but still a pity having to hassle with them over and over. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kai
a Downhiller
from santa cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | dead campers | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 1300 | | Strengths: | This bike is really good at soaking up bumpy light and technical trails. It does really well with fast trails as well. | | Weaknesses: | There is not enough travel to let you go really fast on really technical trails. It is, however, meant to be an all mountain bike so I can't blame it not being prime for downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | trek sessions, kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | stock except I have the '03 and I upgraded the fork to a jr. t | | Bottom Line: | This is a really good bike for most things that you will ever throw at it. It is probably one of the best bikes for beginners and I would highly recomed getting one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a
from Wales
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Super strong frame - excellent linkage system, adjustable set up from agressive xc to downhill - good pedal platform (with manitou 4way) looks fantastic | | Weaknesses: | If you use a long seat post do not lower it yo far as it will contact the rear shock - a easily solved problem through adjustment and cutting | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT, orange Patriot, | | Bike Setup: | Manitou 4 way rear - rock shox revelation forks - full gear system - magura julie brakes | | Bottom Line: | I have got mine set up as an agreesive XC moderate freeride rig. I know its a little heavy for the up hills but hey - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I have used it quite happily on 40k xc trails. Downhill, single track and technical this bike eats it up and provides smiles, laughs and cheers on route - solid and secure with responsive handling.
Ac 1 frames are going pretty cheap at the moment - sub £200 for a good second hand one. If you want a versatile solid freeride rig - buy one
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Downhiller
from Citrus Heights
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Good Freeride bike. Pedals ok up hills and sails down single track. | | Weaknesses: | Stock components suck, headset got trashed from drops, rear shock | | Bike Setup: | 04 Jr.T fork, Fox Vanilla R W/ pro Pedal shock, Sun Intense Mag Rims, Sun Abba hubs, Truvativ Holzfeller cranks, Truvativ BB, E13 Bashguard, Hayes HFX brakes, Crankbrothers candy c pedals, Sram attack shifters, LX rear derailer, crane creek headset. | | Bottom Line: | Get a new rear shock and you'll be set. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Martin
a Downhiller
from Pleasanton Ca Usa
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good suspension and travel very lightweight | | Weaknesses: | not an uphill bike | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | everything is upgraded basicly | | Bottom Line: | Kick ass bike. not for uphill i have to walk most the way but once you get going down its the ride of your life
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick davidson
a Downhiller
from traralgon,vic,australia
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | tyres | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | mallard cycles morwell | | Strengths: | good strong frame good forks cranks gears hangers seat | | Weaknesses: | bad front brake andr suspension-does not cope needs 8inch disc front and a better rim needed.
| | Similar Products Used: | norco 125 | | Bike Setup: | nevegal tyres easton bars stem manitio forks 150mm travel amd 5.3 inch travel on back suspension | | Bottom Line: | a good down hill strong reliable good wearing tyres and good price and has a good range of parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaime Steinhauer
a Downhiller
from Edmonton AB Canada
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Upper Gold Member in Nelson | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Western Cycle | | Strengths: | Great parts for the money | | Weaknesses: | Tubeless rims | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Stock except tires and pedals. Switched to platform petals and non tubeless fater tires. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike for the $, handles anything you throw at it. This bike can handle serious downhill and you can still ride up-hill and X county. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j c
a Weekend Warrior
from california US
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | off camber | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | black mountain bikes | | Strengths: | 2005 ac: frame tires rims btakes | | Weaknesses: | 2005 ac: rear shock needs to go asap.. seat is uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 haro extreme x2, 2004 specialized big hit spec, giant warp ds3 | | Bike Setup: | 2004 fox vanilla r everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | 2005 ac: its a solid bike, if u change the rear shock it makes it alot better and it can do big jumps easy. the fork is not very plush but seems like its impossible to bottom out.it rides really smooth and is pretty good for dh.i would reccomed it to anyone who is starting to do bigger stuff especilialy for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justin cunningham
a Downhiller
from niagara falls,ont,canada
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | blue MT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | my \dad | | Strengths: | nice and strong frame it looks wiked in black good componenc | | Weaknesses: | no Weaknesses | | Similar Products Used: | giant ds1 warp suck i snaped the frame at the BB | | Bike Setup: | giant ac with alot of upgrats | | Bottom Line: | go get it you will thank me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R D
a Downhiller
from Guelph ON Canada
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | gorba | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | used (plus upgrades) | | Strengths: | Frame | | Weaknesses: | stock bike setup | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Giant frame, 05 Marzocchi Z1 freeride, Raceface Diabolus Stem and riser bar, Alex Supra D rims | | Bottom Line: | This bike has a good frame, but the kit that you get on the 2006 is crappy. With fork and other upgrades, it's a great all moutain/freeriding bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
miuan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bratislava, Slovakia
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Podkonice | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (frame only w/ 4-way Swinger) | | Strengths: | A versatile freeride machine for little cash and weight. Descents with confidence and finishes every climb. The Manitou shock is perfect. | | Weaknesses: | No DC fork option (you lose warranty), putting a 7' 66RC in!
Rear triangle gets loose, the shock lever has poor 3mm screws (I broke one).
The seatpost travel is just enough for me but could be little more for others. Seatpost inlay adaptor is a POS.
Stock rear shock spring way too soft, switch it immediately if you bottom out.
Stock chainguide is a joke but works... | | Similar Products Used: | Used none but tried some | | Bike Setup: | Z150, MAGs, Holzfeller, FSA, Mavics, Minion DHs | | Bottom Line: | A moderate freeride bike that can be used for enduro too. Likes to go down pretty hard but needs at least 6' fork. Do not put DC fork in, there are other frames out there... Check the screws all the time and you'll avoid problems. Remember this is NOT an extreme freerider. If you tempt it with 12-15 footers, don't expect it to last forever. Those who pick on AC's cause they crack should check out the Faiths instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Long Gully | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | 05 AC: good groupset, ,mmmmm sram, and cranks oh, and the price. | | Weaknesses: | 05 AC: everything else | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized SX trail | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Boxxer Rides, Fox Vanilla RC, Hayes 9's, Sram X7. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the 05 AC: Stock, this bike sucks. But after you spend some $$ on it it comes to life and now this bike rocks. Firstly the stock rear shock went, i replaced it with a Fox Vanilla RC and then the front forks, replaced with 05 RS Boxxer Rides, then i upgraded brakes from hayes sole to HFX 9's. and rims to the Alex DM 24's that were on my DH HT. Changed the bar and stem combo for Hussfelt stem and Azone WF bars and now shes mint, now its a real nice freeriding bike. The Chilli's are the rating of the bike now, after the upgrades. I think getting the stock bike so cheap made it possible for the upgrades, she rides like a Stinky at 2/3's the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Downhiller
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | rebound | | Strengths: | great bike no problems with components but the frame cracked in 4 different places after two years of abuse and the 5 year warrenty didn't cover it just a crash replacement | | Weaknesses: | if you huck, jump or abuse your ac1 it will brake | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | my frame cracked in 4 places and was not covered by warrenty because they said it occured through normal wear and tear not deffective workmanship!!! this is bike can't be abused like a true freeride bike cause it will brake | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe scott
a Downhiller
from berryvillee
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | snowshoe mtn- very good | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | local | | Strengths: | this is for the 2003 Ac1 or basically an upgraded 04 Ac2. strengths are suspension, which is great on everything except drops with little or no transition, for the rear bottoms out, not roughly but you can feel it. everything else reliable, i ride the bike hard, but max out on drops at 8ft. tires are outstanding with stans. fairly light too | | Weaknesses: | the bottoming out rear, and no i am not a heavy ride, i weigh in at 135. wish i had a steeper head angle, but a longer travel fork fixes it. do not use the rear brake over rough steep terrain, it causes the rear sus. to pack up, just let it go with only the front brake and i promise its far smoother and easier. | | Similar Products Used: | asx, specialized full sus, konas | | Bike Setup: | azonic stem, stiffer rear spring,stans, rest stock | | Bottom Line: | great all around bike, but if you are maybe a little lighter and don't do 15footers to flat. its great to pedal and has done national level downhill courses (snowshoe and new york) respectably. successful on 7-8 footers with decent landings and 15ft gaps, odn't buy of you race or push the envelope of riding (be realistic with yourself too) i like it and owuld recommend it to all but the elite freerider or downhiller, just fun and thats what i'm all about. peace | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ELTON GOLDS
a Weekend Warrior
from BRISBANE, QLD, AUSTRALIA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | REDCLIFF CYCLES | | Strengths: | The frame looks to be built and designed really well.
Pedals to the top of the hill without to much trouble.
Plush and stable over most stuff.
Looks awesome completely matt-black and the paint job with GIANT and AC stencilled into the paint revealing polished metal. | | Weaknesses: | OEM Forks and rear suspension.
| | Bike Setup: | All original so far. Have plans to fit FOX VAN 36RC2 forks and FOX DHX5 rear shock. Also HAYES MAG HD brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Besides the OEM suspension letting down this entry level AC 05 model, and having Hayes solo's, I can't wait to build this bike into my ultimate all-day/freeride/DH bike. It jumps really well and is easy to balance and correct in the air. I'm pretty happy so far with how it handles when sticking it into corners and on DH tracks. It doesn't manual to easily, I figure it must have a long chain stay length. I think this bike is going to be a killer with some bomb suspension and some killer brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eli Chamberlin
a Downhiller
from East Burke, VT USA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | "poundcake" kindgom trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Super plush suspension, dig the swinger 5 way and the sherman slider, components are really nice from the 8" hayes hydraulic disc brakes to the shimano xtr derailluers. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals are sweet but can chew up your shins | | Similar Products Used: | Kona stinky primo | | Bottom Line: | Very nice bike with above average components, the suspension is particularly well thought out...manitou...fo' shizzle | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | JCC | | Strengths: | This is for the 04 model. great bike for moderate d/h and freeride. always does what you want it to do and never complains | | Weaknesses: | needed warrantee on the bearings on one of the pivot points. 2 chain rings and a front derailieur suak massive ass. also the long seat post has to be cut down. | | Similar Products Used: | wheeler 7000dzx | | Bike Setup: | platform pedals, lock on grips, blackspire as-1 chainguide and chopped seat post | | Bottom Line: | awsome bike, would buy another one expect the 05 ac is crap compared to the 04 but at the 1/3 the price what do you expect. if you can get hold of one do it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corstian Devos
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything hilly and technical | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Re-My Sports, Streetsville, ON CAN | | Strengths: | The frame reflects everything Giant learned from the early years of Warp frame cracking and their awesomw NRS race engineering. | | Weaknesses: | Some guys I know have brokenthe rear trail arms doing drops (4-6 ft). Me at 6' 3" 230 lbs have had no issues. | | Similar Products Used: | The wonderful, wacky, totally cracky, Giant Warp DS-1. (Broke four frames.) | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC AC-1 with SH XT shifters, XT Rr D, XT Frt D, XT rear hub, Hayes mechanical disc brakes, SH PD-M858 pedals, SH Deore LX crankset, Axiom 7071 alum handlebars, firm springs in the Judy XCs (still going strong), Black Spire Ring Gear Protector, rear tire one of my two original WTB tyrannoraptors (one tough tire), front tire Continental Twister pro and of course the Atlas saddle. Bike is built for punishment not prettiness. | | Bottom Line: | I can't speak to the issues of other reviewers below. I got this frame by kicking in $200 Cdn to upgrade from my 4th broken Giant Warp DS-1 to the AC-1 Frame. AS saind above this frame refelcts everything that Giant learned through the years. My experience with Giant on warranty is amazing. For the warranty coverage and ease of exchange, go with Giant. I love this frame. It heavy. Its not for racing, but for this big guy it has ended the crack and the exchange per year of frames with Giant.
I give it 5 flamers for the value based on the trade up for $200 Cdn. I give it 5 flamers for overall rating becuse it is doing exactly what I wanted.... NOT BREAKING. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from San Clemente, CA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Frame Strength, downhill geometry, components, shock. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugars | | Bike Setup: | pretty much stock | | Bottom Line: | As a heavier rider (215 lbs) I appreciate how solid this guy feels downhill. I do mostly XC riding, and while it does weigh more than I want it to on climbs, the weight is not a big concern given my size. The geometry and front shock give you a "balls augmentation" going downhill; that same geometry naturally makes climbing more tiring than a XC. In climbing, though the fork locks out nice and low keeping you securely on the trail, the seat angle wasn't installed with long climbs in mind. Certainly not designed as a XC, it is an acceptable XC choice for big riders; such a blast downhill that the pain going up is made up for in joy if not in time.
I've used it for some 24 hour races, the big fear there is the 20mm front hub, and gotten away with it because I'm a bigger guy. But here is the bottom line: Buy something else if you have lots of long or hard climbs with intermediate descents; but if you have access to attainable climbs with fast, aggressive and technical descents this thing is the ticket. Don't get this for relatively level terrain, the weight, price and shocks aren't worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Kovac
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whoopsie-Woodle, Galbraith Mt. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeTech Lakewood, WA | | Strengths: | If you're into riding your local hotspot, it's the perfect mix of lightweight for uphill and enough travel for downhill. Also excellent value for the price. | | Weaknesses: | The suspension cannot take the large drops like the DH bikes. Instead stick with your everyday rides that take you both up and down. Have to saw the seatpost so that it doesn't collide w/ the rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Ironhorse DH, Giant Warp, Giant Aquila | | Bike Setup: | Sherman front, Manitou SPV-4 rear, XT front and rear, Hayes 8", Hutchinson tubeless, platform pedals | | Bottom Line: | Relative low maintance. I've taken this rig from Whistler, BC to Capital Forest and all along the west coast of Washington state and it's held up. If you're looking for the all-around complete package, without spending bucko $$$, this is the ticket... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damian
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Nice bike to ride, handles most terrain reasonably well. | | Weaknesses: | Weak rear end - replaced rear wheel, cracked lower rear triangle & had to replace suspension pivots over 11 month period.
Doesn't pedal well up hills, although who cares, and a lot of rolling resistance compared to other bikes.
Weak headset, had to be constantly tightened then finally replaced. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 AC2, 2001 LTS 1, 2004 DH Team, etc... | | Bike Setup: | Standard except Mavic 2.5 Super Tacky's | | Bottom Line: | Good compromise between full on DH rig & lighter full sus XC bike. Fast & light downhill although lacked suspension travel. Not strong enough for big drops or hard riding. Only owned it 11 months and had 3 big failures in rear end all. Still think it is a great bike in most situations but don't buy it if you eat pies & like big drops.
Sold it and bought a DH Team. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tyler linne
a Racer
from highlands ranch, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | keystone black diamonds | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | bike source in littleton | | Strengths: | solid frame, ajustable travel ,SPV on fork and shock, easy to jump, stable at high speeds | | Weaknesses: | XTR rear derailer, stupid seat post | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized '03 big hit spec | | Bike Setup: | kona pedals, truvativ bar and stem, lock-on grips, ITS tires | | Bottom Line: | A Good bike for many uses xc is easy, mx is a little hard, dh is real fun. if you spend a little extra $$ on a few things this bike is a real good buy. my friend has a yeti ASX and this thing keeps up with it on dh | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john doe
a Weekend Warrior
from whistler (i wish)
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | snowshoe- freeride runs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | the fork is very nice on just about all types of terrain, and the rear suspension is great on downhill runs, but guys with ellsworths, santacruz, etc. will blow you away. the frame is strong and has minimal flex. hayes breaks stop great, only had to fix once. paint doesn't show scratches, burly components, farily lightweight, 36-37 i'd say | | Weaknesses: | as i said in the strengths, the rear rocks on downhills, but is not nearly as good on drops. this is a follow up article, though i changed my name, and it still bottoms out too easily on drops, yet never have i felt it bottom on downhills, very strange. i have tubless tires on mine, leak air if you don't get stans, but stans is awesome, never get flat. | | Similar Products Used: | big hit, xts, gemini, dare, joker, diesel | | Bike Setup: | stock but with new tires, shorter stem | | Bottom Line: | as i said before, this is a follow up. great bike i must say though..still. 2000 was a deal, and you may not be able to find that. besides the bottoming out problem off drops, its great. with skill and practice one can smooth the drops out fine. let me clear something up though, when i say "bottom out" i mean all of the travel is used, even the yellow stopper, although i have never had a rough landing, it simply bottoms out and rebounds gently, easy to live with. i would look at other bikes also though, especailly the 05' bikes and go with one of those. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake MaCarthur
a Downhiller
from Wenatchee, WA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | They are my secrets!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Arlberg Sports | | Strengths: | Wheelset, weight, well made frame | | Weaknesses: | If you are a downhiller the AC1 is not for you. The reason the AC is so light is because the suspension doesn't work. Of course the SPV in the rear is nice on the uphill, but the Swinger does not absorb the smaller bumps. The same problem is up front. The Sherman is so light that it can't take the little bumps, just the big ones. | | Similar Products Used: | VP-Free, AS-X | | Bike Setup: | Jr. T fork, XO rear derailer/shifter, MRP chain guide, Tioga platforms | | Bottom Line: | Since I spent all this money on a bike I am not yet satisfied with I will soon upgrade to the 5th element shock. If you are looking into an AC1 get a Bullit or VP-Free. Hauling nearly 40 pounds uphill should be a treat for the way down, just don't find a trail that's fast with small bumps. On the other hand, the bike is great for larger bumbs, jumps, and drops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Brandon,Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Stream & Wood | | Strengths: | Durability, Suspension performance | | Weaknesses: | None found yet | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp 2001 2003 DJ3, Singletracks, Kona buldge | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Marzocchi JR.T, Kona Buldge crankset, Mrp Minime chainguide, Sun Singletracks (building Sun Double wides) | | Bottom Line: | This is by far the best bike I have built and ridden, I was sceptical of the manitou swinger shock as it felt to plush on small bumps and thought it would blow through its travel on drops, 5ft to flat on concrete, did not feel it bottom, (On my warp anything over 2ft you could feel it bottom).Excellent all round/freeride/trail bike. Combine that with the excellent service at Stream & Wood and Giant's excellent warranty I highly recommend. Cross country riders will probably find it heavy, but I'll take strength over lightweight anyday. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NEd healy
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Post office run | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Daves | | Strengths: | Excellent suspension combo. SPV works great. Good parts package. | | Weaknesses: | Tubeless Michelin tires absolutely suck. After a week I had flats in tires and tubes. Hard to seat the tires. Ended up Buying a set of Minions and drilled out the presta valve rim holes for sharder, wheels work much better. GET new grips, seat, and platform pedals for freeriding. Paint scratchs really easy! | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, RM7, RM Switch | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Easton platforms, Ruffian lock ons, Minion tires, Titec Berzerker saddle, dura ace cassete. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for all around freeriding:street, dirt, DJ, and off-road with a little tweaking of the original set-up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from bulacan, philippines
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | off road single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | extreme bike shop | | Strengths: | plush rear suspension travel (manitou SPV coil),rigid frame and the works... | |
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$ 3000.00
