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Submitted by
pat bell
a Weekend Warrior
from The peak district, England
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | A local bandit run | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | buxton | | Strengths: | Superb all rounder, rides well even on long road ascents, descends better than me. Was hevily discounted as no longer produced | | Weaknesses: | A bit unpredictable on steep technical descents unless u drop seat | | Similar Products Used: | Marin rift zone, Club Roost XC4, lots of hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Pace rc40 fighter forks and few carbon bits but otherwise standard | | Bottom Line: | Replaced manitou minutes early on as didnt seem to be able to cope with plush rear end. Hutchinson tyres good in dry and fast but rubbish in wet. Probably best bike I have ever ridden, keeps up with friends Whyte 46 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sy Holmes
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley Vale, NSW,Australia
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Orimbah long Circuit | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Central Coast Cycles | | Strengths: | cockpit setup, running gear, reliability | | Weaknesses: | Tyres wear out too soon ( 2 weeks) Put geax tubless 2.1's on and ran perfect still going hard | | Similar Products Used: | teacali, xtc1, | | Bike Setup: | All standard except tyres | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks, hard pressed to find a better bike geared up like a Giant. Recommended to anyone whether beginner looking 4 value 4 money or the experienced Rider. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardiff
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | afan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Gives you lots of confidence, great versatility if set up correctly. | | Weaknesses: | Thinking of changing the rear shock from air to coil.. guess this is not really a weakness more a preference! | | Similar Products Used: | Turner 5 spot, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from hope brakes | | Bottom Line: | Fun, fun, fun! This is my second bike and the thing that stands out the most for me is its versatility. If set up correctly this bike flys along and gives lots of confidence to the rider. I have used it for just over a year on and off and enjoy ridiing it as much as my Turner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gareth Sheppard
a Weekend Warrior
from Reading
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | cwmcarn | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclopeadia, Cardiff | | Strengths: | Inspiring to ride down rocky descents. Rear travel eats up everything i can ride and gives you great confidence to push it that little bit further. Climbs well on technical ascents. Struggles on fire road, but who wants to ride up that any way. | | Weaknesses: | Bob! If you set up the bike to get the most from the shock on the descent it feels it wallows through the travel when climbing or as soon as you get out of the saddle. On less technical climbs this bike feels like hard work to get to the top. Top tube on the medium is a little short for me personally even though i am only 5ft 10, but I have quite a long upper body! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS, Schwinn Rocket 88 | | Bike Setup: | Psylo forks, xt groupset with hayes discs. | | Bottom Line: | Overall this is a great bike for the man made trails of cwmcarn and afan or for somewhere like the Alps. However if your riding is more mixed than that you need a different bike, hence me just getting a s-works hard tail. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Richardson
a Weekend Warrior
from Durham, UK
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kiroughtree, Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal On | | Strengths: | Value for money, specification, build quality, excellent fun to ride
| | Weaknesses: | easily scratched paint, tyres, shock position acts as a mud catcher | | Similar Products Used: | Similar Products Tried: Orange 5, SC Heckler, Gary Fisher Cake, Specilaized Enduro, Rocky Mountain Slayer,
| | Bike Setup: | As per UK spec, apart from a shorter Easton Stem (100mm)and an Easton MonkeyLite Carbon bar. New grips.
| | Bottom Line: | This is an update on my post over 14 months ago. I havn't been out as much as I would like since the first post but when I have, this bike never fails to make me smile.
I have just come back from a week in the Scottish Borders riding some of the 7 Stanes trails and yet again this bike was outstanding. It eats rocky and technical trails for lunch. You simply can't beat Giant bikes for value for money. Having ridden this bike for some time i never fail to be amazed at how confident it makes me feel.
I rode one of the Merida 100 marathon events on this and was great - allowed me to keep going for longer.
It's not all smiles though. The Mavic Crossmax's have both bent with not a great deal of abuse - they're not as bombproof as they would like to make out. My local lbs quickly sorted them out and put loctite on the spokes - seems to have resolved that problem. Got sick of the tubeless tyres and replaced them with tubed tyres - even with latex in there were air retention problems, might try some other tubeless tyres after Christams when cash is more readily available.
Overall, I am still a very happy bunny and this is still one of the best trail bikes if you can find one. I have tried some of the new Maestro bikes by Giant and have to say they are also up there on the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Downhiller
from Concord, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | time warp | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Bobs Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great climbing machine, rails well when dialed in, the spv shock is great(very efficient)light frame and plush. | | Weaknesses: | Steering needs to do away with the intergrated headset and install the standard. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Slayer, Intense 5.5 | | Bike Setup: | Fox 36 Vanilla RC2, Sram xo kit, truvativ holzfeller cranks, hope/mavic 823 wheelset, kenda nevegal tires (2.3) spv 4way shock but will be upgrading to a Fox DHX air next week. This bike rocks. Thanks Giant. | | Bottom Line: | Have built this bike up to rock the trails and it rocks alright. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Samaniego Ridge Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light, pretty strong, climbs well, plush | | Weaknesses: | paint sux and thats about it
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 98, Trek hardtail, and one freeride bike but cant remember what it was | | Bike Setup: | 2003 VT1, platform pedals, Python tires, and a chopped seatpost cuz im 5'7" | | Bottom Line: | The best all around bike ever. I bought it when i was 13 to ride with my dad, and ever since than i got way better and now i can do 7 foot drops to flat landings with ease. I have tried a 13-15 footer on it and it lived but i thought i was gunna break it. climbs like a monkey on short steep technical up hills, but a little harder on slow long climbs. Doesn't jump that great but it gets the job done. As i said i am 5'7" 135lbs but i have the rear shock up to about 200 pounds for bigger jumps and drops. That doesn't help for Desert and downhill that much but is still pretty effective. Handles extreemly well when fast and not bad at slower speeds(but way more fun when fast). Strong, nothing has broken on it yet. Awesome for anything, just depends on how your shock is set up, low presure and you wont fell anything with no bob but if u r like me you need it pumped up so it doesn't explode on your leg.
Get it or DIE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Vallee
a Cross Country Rider
from phoenix, az
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | 1A/ Dreamy Draw | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Slippery Pig | | Strengths: | Instant confidence.
Giants warranty, This is a replacement for a 2003 VT1. Full frame replacement. I think I rode the cracked frame for 2 months before I could figure out where a creaking sound was coming from. | | Weaknesses: | Not the Lifetime Warranty, or the amazing ride. The only thing I could even say, is that I feel slow on long steady climbs, but on The other hand I can climb up the steep stuff with much more confidence, and ease. My first one cracked at a weld, But Giant gave me a new frame no questions asked, and it was in the shop 3 days after I brought in my cracked frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Entry level trek hardtail, and a Schwinn Homegrown hardtail (Yeti built) full XT Disc brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Full 05 ShimanoXT Hydraulic, Thompson seatpost, and Stem, Mavic 823's with Continental Vertical Tubless tires, Marzocchi Z1FR SL 130mm fork, Manitou Swinger 4 way SPV on the rear. | | Bottom Line: | This bike makes you ride at a new level. I can ride up and over rocks that would make my old bike stop in its tracks. The SPV works like a dream, and moves the rear end whenever necessary. The Desert trails that I ride are rocky and unforgiving, and this bike has a super plush feel over everything. I dont feel the need to avoid most obsticals going down hill I find my self looking for F#@#$ed up S^$t to ride over. I am a big guy 6'3" going about 230, I have the rear shock set up with 175 lbs in the main chamber, and only 100lbs in the SPV chamber, I use all but about an 1/8th" of the shocks travel, But I dont do many drops. But, I hit one that is about 4 feet on one trail I ride and it never bottoms out. This bike is for you if you want to play around and have a blast riding over terrain that you were once afraid to ride over. This bike is not for you if you want to race mine weighs 32 lbs. I can ride with the guys with 25lb race bikes but I am pushing to keep up and dropped up the long hills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rey Tabada
a Cross Country Rider
from Cebu City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | rocky | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1090.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only | | Strengths: | Light and Strong. Great shape as well. 4-way swinger does a lot of good rebound. You'll feel the bottomless rear shock. | | Weaknesses: | Paint scratch with cable rubs. Chains hit the paint bad. Deflating pigy back. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox | | Bike Setup: | Fox forx RL 100, XT crankset, XTR derailuers, Mavic rims, XT cogs, Easton bars, Thomson stem and seatpost, Deore disc brakes, Intense front wheel and Continental rear. | | Bottom Line: | Minimal bobbing observed. Need to increase airpressure to avoid this. This bike is generally great. More power to Giant! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Cross Country Rider
from california, usa
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | mindbomb | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | bobs cycles | | Strengths: | Super adjustable, great climber, great descender, super plush, light frame and looks great too. | | Weaknesses: | Squeaky linkage!! | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Cycle Rumble. | | Bike Setup: | Z1 FR SL 130 (04), fsa headset(intergrated), Avid 7" discs, Mavic 719 rims with Hope XC hubs, Conti Vertical Pro 2.3 tires, Sram X9 drivetrain, Truvativ Stylo Team crankset and Team Giga Pipe SL bb, Thomson front and rear, WTB saddle, Answer pro taper 2" bar(gun metal grey), Mallet M pedals and Odi grips. | | Bottom Line: | My brother and I have this bike as our communal test sled and it rocks!! Thank you Giant and Marzocchi!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Bean
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything Rocky | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Crazy Cat Cyclery | | Strengths: | Takes a beating, easy to control, good climbing. | | Weaknesses: | Squeaky pivots, cables rub paint off. | | Similar Products Used: | (none) | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Minute 1:00, Full XT, Easton Aluminum bars, stem seatpost, Avid Discs, Mavic Crossland. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is really awesome! I ride hard, and it hasn't bothered the frame yet. It holds up under pressure. Climbs very easily too. With the SPV, I can climb just about anything, even with the weight of the bike being around 32 lbs. Buy frame only and then trick it out! I got the setup I wanted, Frame, Full XT, Manitou Minute 1, Easton stuff, Mavic wheels, for under $2300. Just keep your pivot points clean, kinda squeaky. Buy if you want a sick trail ride that will hold up, good for any age. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Richardson
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham, UK
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kirroughtree, Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal On | | Strengths: | Value for money, specification, build quality, | | Weaknesses: | easily scratched paint, tyres (for muddy UK conditions) | | Similar Products Used: | Orange 5, SC Heckler, Gary Fisher Cake, Specilaized Enduro, Rocky Mountain Slayer, | | Bike Setup: | As per UK spec, apart from a shorter Easton Stem (100mm)and an Easton MonkeyLite Carbon bar. | | Bottom Line: | Early days but have to say that this is a corker of a bike. Got the rear shock set up all wrong at first, jumped on and the bike felt as if it bent in two. Put some time in with the swinger shock and have dialed it about just right at the moment - 200% improvment. Bike weighs in very reasonable for a trailbike. Goes uphill well - won't break any records, so don't be fooled into beliving its as fast as a hardtail. Downhill - well thats another matter. This bike allows you to hammer roots, rocks and just about anything else, provided you've got the bottle.
Some of the descents that other bikes struggle with seem a breeze on this bike. I am a fussy bike rider and this bike is excellent value - especially the 2005 prices (reduced !!!). If you're a UK rider (or someone who has to contend with mud) then the tyres are hopeless - get a decent mud tyre. I also ditched the stem and bars, which I found too long and too shallow, personal preference. I use this bike for professional and personal rides and first impressions are good - I feel confident I made a good decision. I will post another report once I've got some miles under my belt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, Ca
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Poison Spider | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Strengths: | Good components, Plush ride, No-bob, Great climber, and fun all mountain design. | | Weaknesses: | A little on the heavy side (30ish lbs.) But thats why we ride, to get in shape! Swinger Air shock leaks air. Lots of creaks and sqweeks. Cable rub. | | Similar Products Used: | Previously Hard tail. | | Bike Setup: | Psylo Race, Manitou Singer, Full XT, Mavic Crossmax wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! Tons of fun and can handle about anything. I Ride moderatly tough trails in so cal, bike climbs great and handles the downhill sections perfectly.
Recently spent a week in Moab utah, throwing what I would consider some of the roughest conditions at it.. Tons of rock gardens, drops, climbs, multi semi-epic days. Bike stayed in one peice, rode like a dream.
Psylo Race fork is nice, lock it out for climbs and lower or raise the travel for varying conditions.
Manitou swinger is a little high maintanance. Handles fine for long trips, but bring a pump because filling it back up before a ride becomes a daily ritual. It seems to slowly lose pressure, especially in the rebound chamber. I blame most of this on the threaded valves. When unthreading the airpump even a slight wisp of air escaping can mean 30-40 lbs especially in the small rebound chamber.
Otherwise.. Very Happy!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, Korea
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chungae Mt. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1020.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's bike in Pleasant Hill | | Strengths: | Good weld and craftmanship. Well thought out geomatry and good price | | Weaknesses: | paintjob is pretty thin and slightest cable rub will eat through the paimtjob. Pure matalic color frame would have rocked.. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive, Cannondale Jakyll | | Bike Setup: | I bought the frame and rear shock only and all parts were add on. | | Bottom Line: | My bike is bit on heavy side Mine clocked in at 31Lbs. I think it's the wheelset that makes it so heavy. Sun-Ringle Singletrack. Apart from the weight it's a great ride. Had to fiddle with the rear shock a bit but finally got it dialed in and no problem now. This bike handles really well on tight single track and climb like a monkey with firecraker up his Azz.umm...Manbe not that great but pretty decent for full sus. all mountain bike. Especially in Korean mountains. Steep, rocky and rooty. This place will definitely test your bike, skill, and your stamina. Definitely not a show pony but will get the job done and plus more. Great bike from household name like Giant. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Old Cabin Trail - Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycle | | Strengths: | XTR, Mavic Crossmax w/Bladed spokes, Manitou Minute 1 fork, Manitou 3-way Swinger Air SPV, Shimano XT Cranks, Hayes HFX-9 XC Hydraulics, sweet frame setup. | | Weaknesses: | Needed to cut the seat post down, factory rubber just OK. Tie wraps on the cables and seatpost with sleeve are weak designs. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid 25 (my other bike), Santa Cruz Blurr, Jamis, | | Bike Setup: | I added a Michelin WildGripper Hot S (rear), WTP MotorRaptor 2.2(front), and Shimano PD-520 SPD pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is great bike for the $$$. Ok, I am an older rider new to MTB so when I get 18" of air it feels like extreme riding to me. I been riding a Trek Liquid 25, a sweet ride for long single track, but the VT1 makes me look like a pro on the technical stuff. Very easy to handle, nimble, responsive, no bobbing (even when standing if your form is right), and sweet on wash board. I am really impressed with its climbing ability. Good component set and the suspension design is well thought out - takes a little time to set it up - my advice is to play with the suspension, its good for learning about the bikes moods and you can dial it in to your type of riding. This bike is great for old guys... and will take anything a young hot shot can dish out short of two story drops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from North Plains, OR
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Browns Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | XTR, Mavic Crossmax UST SL Disc, Bladed spokes, Manitou Swinger Air SPV, Shimano XT Cranks w/Hollowtech II, Price, Price, Price | | Weaknesses: | Tie wraps on the cables are a little hokie, seatpost clamp has to be TIGHT. Be careful not to crack the carbon fiber. I agree with the other readers about the sleeve. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose, Giant NRS1, VT2, Specialized EPIC 2003 | | Bike Setup: | factory- Turned the stem over for lower bars. Had to cut the seat post down. (I'm 5'7") | | Bottom Line: | What an awesome bike for the price. I tried a VT2, and the XT derailer always needed adjustment (even after the cable was stretched), and the rear shock went flat after a 14 mile ride(bad shock). I took the VT2 back and paid the extra 1000.00 for the VT1. Best 1000.00 I have spent. The bike climbs well(no bob unless you stand up)and absolutely flew on the downhills. You can actually feel the bike take off on the downhill. I have bladed spokes on my road bike and the downhill acceleration is the same as the VT1.
The Shimano XT cranks w/hollowtech are stiff and light. The adjustable travel(90-120mm) on the Manitou Minute 1 is great for technical climbs: just set it down to 90mm and the front wheel stays down. I am a little concerned about the tubeless tires because the lowest recomended pressure on the Mavic website is 25PSI (I assume to keep the bead). When I go to Moab and have to let the pressure down to 18-20PSI, I will put on a fas-trak tire with a tube.
Experiment with the rear shock pressure. The included booklet is garbage, but the answer/manitou website does a great job explaining the setup. It takes some tweaking at first, because when you remove the shock pump, at least with mine, you lose about 10PSI. Play with the dampener on both front and rear to minimize rebound speed.
For about 350.00, one could take a half pound off, which would bring the bike down to about 27.5 lbs (18.5"). Or better yet, ride more often and loose the body weight. I have taken the bike up climbs and technical sections I couldn't make before. The real difference I noticed was the time difference of my normal rides went down about 25% and I wasn't as beat-up after the ride. I can't wait to get back on it....
Performance has a deal of 10% back for every 100 you spend. Thats 270.00 worth of store merchandise if you purchase this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Orange County, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Gooseberry Mesa, SART | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | NRS Warranty Replacement | | Strengths: | Several | | Weaknesses: | Minor flex in rear triangle, squeaking coming from pivot points. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS2 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi MX Comp 120mm, Hayes HFX-9, Mavic x317 on XT Disc Hubs, Nokian NBX 2.3, Race Face Evolve XC BB and Cranks, WTB Rocket V | | Bottom Line: | Let's start with how I got this bike because it says a lot about Giant as a company. I had a 2002 NRS2 that was about 2 years old and developed a crack where the top tube meets the seat stay. I'm 6' 3" and about 230 lbs w/ riding gear and pushed that bike to its limits. I took it to an LBS and was not satisfied with the service so I ended up contacting Giant directly. Here in SoCal their representative is Perry Kramer (PK Ripper for you 80's BMX fans). Perry was awesome he was responsive to my phone calls and instead of replacing my frame under warranty w/ another NRS, Perry asked me several questions like height, weight and riding style. He felt that the VT line would suit me better. He had it delivered to another LBS and I only had to pay the cost for the Manitou Swinger shock ($225). I assembled the bike w/ the parts off of my NRS (some upgrades) and hit the trails. Three months later, I would have to say that Giant has made me a customer for life. The VT is awesome and so is the Manitou Swinger shock. It works exactly like it is supposed to. There is some weight penalty - my bike is about 30 lbs as I have it set up. A little heavy on the climbs but the shock is very efficient - little to no bob.
I just got back from a week in Utah where we rode six straight days - Porcupine Rim, Amasa Back, Gooseberry Mesa, etc. I was so impressed w/ the performance in every circumstance. I highly recommend this bike - especially for those Clydesdales out there. The only weaknesses are mentioned above and they are very minor - no points deducted. Thanks again Giant!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Baker
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | You name it. Climbs like crazy and descends even better. The product spec on this bike is incredible, with the exception of the the seeat post and tires, there's not much to change. | | Weaknesses: | Carbon seatpost with a shim is weak set-up, the tires are fair, nice and light, but a little sketchy when you get going down hill. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountains - Altitude, Element& Element Team Scandium and Schwinn Homegrown | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Outrageous. I waited to write this review until I could put this bike through the ringer. I have only ridden cross country bikes and much to my suprise this bike rocks on the climbs. The SPV shocks really do work at virtually eliminating bob. Sure, some of the little stuff is not absorbed, but who cares? When its time to go downhill it takes the big hits like a champ. If you are looking for a bike that you can peddle all day, then huck off 5 foot drops, this is the one. This is the best all around bike I have ridden, and the price is unbeatable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nirvana | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Strathpine Cycles | | Strengths: | Excelent component spec, Price | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 NRS2, 2004 AC2 | | Bike Setup: | Factory | | Bottom Line: | I thought I had the best of both worlds with the NRS2 & the AC2 but often found myself on a ride with big jumps and dropoffs when I was on the NRS and then when I would head out on the AC I would find the ride ends up an epic. I'm 150lb and found the AC more bike than I needed, the VT is as nimble and lighter than my NRS and feels every bit as plush as my AC It climbs awesome and soaks up every mistake I make comming down. The seat post slipped on my first ride then a mate put talcum powder on the post and it hasn't moved since. Buy it if You ride XC but like to jump and drop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Igor
a Cross Country Rider
from Ljubljana
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Briliant combination of uphill and downhill geometry. SPV is excelent. Great components, unmatched price/performance ratio. | | Weaknesses: | With stock tires you cannot explore what this bike is able to do when going down at high speed
Time pedals - just can't get used to them | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Stock with 647 pedals and Conti Vertical Pro tires | | Bottom Line: | This is the bike if you are looking for bike to be fast on a hill from which you would like to go down with no limits.
It is so simple to change geometry completelly (front and rear).
Almost no bobing at all due to superb combination of SPV and bike geometry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren Prouty
a Racer
from Danville, NH USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Carr Ridge - Bear Brook SP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Purchased At: | Naults Cyclery - Manchester | | Strengths: | Minimal bob, component mix, SPV Technology, awesome color scheme! | | Weaknesses: | Rear cables rub and remove paint. Carbon fiber seat post slips...afraid to tighten too much. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Cake 1 DLX, Klein Palomino XV, Specialized Stumpjumper Pro Disc | | Bike Setup: | VT-1 Stock except SRAM X0 Shifters/rear derailure, SRAM PC-99 Hollow Pin Chain. | | Bottom Line: | I've got to agree with the PR video on the Giant website...this bike rocks! I can stand and crank on the climbs without feeling like I'm on a pogo stick. The ride feels like a hard tail until you hit the bumps. The adjustable damping on the Manitou Swinger rear shock is incredible. You can have plushness or firmness with the twist of the knob. I did some nice technical downhill and the bike absorbed it all. I'm a hardtail sport-class racer and I've found a new joy to riding. The bike is heavier than I'm used to, but for 2004, features like Hayes carbon levers, XT hollow tech crank, etc. drop the weight by about 2 pounds from the 2003 version to about 28. The bike climbs better than it should. Not to mention the component mix including the Cross Max wheelset.
I'll revisit in a few months for an update...expect more flamin' chilis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellevue, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Wheel set- they fly. Rear shock can be tuned to give the bike a host of personalities | | Weaknesses: | Brake lever adjust bolts were striped getting the inital set up right. The guy at the shop said they weren't allowed to adjust them because it was too easy to strip them. I wish I had known that before I played around with mine. | | Similar Products Used: | Speacialized Epic, Santa Cruz Blurr, Jamis. | | Bike Setup: | stock except lock on grips , Hutchinson Spyder tires, egg beaters | | Bottom Line: | Flys down hill and on the flat section. Unbelievable how fast it is. Up hill it has a little too much bob when you have the shock set up to get full travel. The bike can be tuned so you can stand up on it with no bob- but then it only takes the medium to big hits- a little too harsh. I am coming off a hard tail so I am used to no movement. I read so many reviews about how fast the bike is up hill so I thought you should hear my opinion. Not that fast, but comfortable. Or super firm and a little too harsh. I suspect there aren't many 5" travel bikes where you can stand on them with out a lock out... If you are looking for a light bike you can ride all day this is it. Medium is just 28 lbs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a Cross Country Rider
from BC canada
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | monkeys | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Realm | | Strengths: | great parts,, trick wheel set,, light weight ,rides smooth climbs crazy , nothing close for price,,even looks trick. | | Weaknesses: | none yet just getting some miles on it, but have a 2003 VT 2 (it's for sale) that was a great bike so this should be the same (I hope) | | Similar Products Used: | last years VT 2 rode it all year | | Bike Setup: | stock so far, hard to up grade, has it all | | Bottom Line: | the Giant VT 2 I had last year was a great bike so when this one show up with all the trick parts stock, I could'nt help myself and I'm thrilled..the crossmax SL wheel set is eye candy... its alot lighter and seems to float along the trails. the minuite and swinger SPP seems too keep the BOB at bay...I'm loving this bike I can just sit and look at it, but riding it is just as sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Moore
a
from little rock, ar
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Everything. What you get for the price you pay is incredible too. Just about every part or component is a top quality part, so it is natural that the bike is lightweight for what it has on it and it can handle hard core treatment. Buy it cause there isn't anything that comes close to this bike for its price. | | Weaknesses: | The seat post and shim are lame. Just replace it new and sell it, then get a new post. The Hutchinson tires are really bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Bear, Trek Liquid, Cannondale Jekyll | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup, switched out seat post with no shim, and switched the Huthinson tires. | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike. You aren't going to find any other bike of this quality for its price anywhere. I can't even think of a reason not to buy it. It just floats over the big stuff and climbs like a charm with no bob. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Arkansas
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2560.00 | | Strengths: | Top gear, incredible ride up&down&jump&hard&allday&... | | Weaknesses: | You have to sit on it otherwise it's stolen! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll, Giant NRS, Specialized s-works enduro, Kona Bear | | Bike Setup: | original, just changed tires to tube (due some huge jumps) | | Bottom Line: | You can do almost anythign with this bike - climb (steeeppp!), descent (hard&fast), sit on it whole day, jump, ride veeery hard... It forgives you almost everything (except hiting neighbours car).
I tried high tech s-works, fancy cannondale, but Giant is just bike but it is THE bike!
Value rating 10 Flamin' chils!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HoHo
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Turkey Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | local shops | | Strengths: | Climbing, Down-Hilling, Stiff frame, Handles well, Manitou Swinger 4way rear shock | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy 30.5 lbs., Slightly sluggish in corning, 5 year warranty on frame | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX 990 | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Black Elite 100/120,Shimano Disk 8"front/6"rear,XT/LX mix,Sun Rhino lite rims,Answer bars,Contentinal Surival 2.3 Pro tires | | Bottom Line: | I Got the bike on a warranty and built the rest up. Cost me about $1200 total. "Great Deal" It has been a really good bike so far, no major complaints. Handles great on decents and singletrack also a good climber. Little on the heavy side, but what do you expect for a freeride/crosscountry bike. (travel 120mm front & 5.75" rear ) Very little if any biopacing on road due to the Mantou Swinger 4way shock. (Great shock) Sucks up all little bumps and knocks out the big ones. Overall, if you like to bomb downhills, navigate tight singletrack, climb hills "not hike-a-bike" and urban freerides this is a good rig to be riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 3000.00
