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Submitted by
Carlos
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | well made with strong welds and great overall design and geometry. The standard 6 inch susp. from manitou is awesome. Never had any REAL complaints aobut the frame. Can be used for practically all types of writing (obviously not DH). | | Weaknesses: | Depending on how you build it up... it can get heavy | | Bottom Line: | great overall frame... not problems really. Great rear susp. comes standard. Can get heavy depending on the components you put on. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gus Tamayo
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC. USA.
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Snow Shoe. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay. AC1 Frame only. | | Strengths: | I did put top of the line XTR and Fox components on this frame. It is just a great bike and made a big difference on my riding. I usually go ride on weekends and use a trainer on week days. I get very anxious to get on my bike and hit the trails on weekends. I do some down hill and the bike just wok awesome as well as when I climb up some hills. This bike is very strong and it is very easy to control. It has truvative cranks. | | Weaknesses: | It was a little har to get the right shifting group for this bike since not all the dirailleurs are good for it.
Finally i got all XTR group and they work perfect. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Treck, Iron Horse, Kona. | | Bike Setup: | XTR (shifters, derailleurs, chain), Avid liquid 9 carbon brakes, Thompson stem and seatpost, Mavic 717 with Crhis King hubs and DT Swiss spokes, truvative craks with truvative Isis BB, Rock Shoks SID rear suspension and Fox F100 fork. | | Bottom Line: | This is a very durable and sweet bike. No bad comments at all for this beauty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom lee
a Downhiller
from agoura hills ca. U.S.
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | gaspipes or backbone | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo ventura | | Strengths: | this is a good all round ride. Depending on how you set it up. | | Weaknesses: | I have not fond one. I rode it the wa its supposed to be ridden all mountainor mild freeride. | | Similar Products Used: | giant VT/weyless 67/ironhorse sdg freeride | | Bike Setup: | i set it up with a 7"travel triple crown and also w/ a minute 1:oo I prefer the minute. full XT/race face CF bars | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks on tachnical singletrack you feel like your in it not on it/had to add stiffre spring for drops to flat. spv front and rear workes excellent | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Esteban
a
from Tucson, Arizona USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Weight, strength, and adjustability. If setup right you can never bottom out on agressive xc trails. | | Weaknesses: | The original fork that comes with this bike is crap. I switched it for an 04 marzocchi freeride 150mm sl(so sweet).
I did this right outta the box after demoing the bike for a day. The original fork is just too weak to be on this otherwise burly as hell freeride/aggreeeeessive xc bike. | | Similar Products Used: | kona, specialized, haro. | | Bike Setup: | Giant ac2 w/marzocchi 04 z150freeride 150 sl fork, weyless mag pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome if you really know how to ride it. With the new fork on for about 3-1/2 months I have taken it to its limits and back again with now problems. The Manitou 4way swinger is ideal for someone like me who does a little bit of everything - from mediocre freeriding, dirt jumping, downhilling, and very aggressive xc. It handles everything with confidence and great control. I've taken it off off 10 footers with no problems, and pedaled up some very grueling uphills for some very fast and furious downhill rewards. Bottom line: this bike was a steal because it was left over in the back of supergo and they brought it out 2 years after it first hit the market.
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Submitted by
jack
a
from new york
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light, good rear shock, components | | Weaknesses: | a lil bit too heavy for xc but not quite strong enough for freeride | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 kona stinky dee-lux (this bike pwnes) coiler, stinky, gemin, banshee scream | | Bike Setup: | stock except platforms, and a junior t | | Bottom Line: | if ur lookin for a freeride bike id go for something a little bit stronger with better/stronger components. i first got this and took it off a 4 foot drop (small drop) and the fork bottomed!!??! and i only weaigh 130 lbs. so i upgraded the fork. i dunno i still dont feel very confident taking this off anything higher then 5-6 feet. i always use my friends stinky for the bigger stuff.
if ur looking for a xc bike this may be a little bit too haevy for u, and too much rear whell travel, with bobing.
if ur looking for a bike that can handle some little jumps u make and get u over rough terrain, and handle small drops(1-3 feet), and do bridges, this bike is for you. i am probly going to return mine to get a stinky or maybe a gemini, so i can stop using my friends. i just dont feel safe doin anything big on this. not that its a bad bike or anything, just not my type of riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Palis
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockwood, Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hilton Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Paramount Sports | | Strengths: | Everything, except perhaps the wheel/tyre weight and the brakes which are noisy and have a tendency to leak at the reservoir. | | Weaknesses: | Above. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except attached lizard skins to protect front and rear shock seals. Platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for riding over very rough terrain. It cuts through rock gardens and big roots far better than a hardtail or fully suspended cross country bike. I use mine for aggresive cross country riding, but try to avoid large jumps and drops since I don't like expensive repairs! Not that this bike couldn't handle those, but it takes it's toll on any wheelset and the Psylo fork is really better suited to aggresive cross country (which it handles superbly). If you enjoy heavy duty cross country, or light freeriding, you'll like this bike, but if you like to ride on fast singletrack as well you might find yourself being left behind, especially on the long uphills. Make sure you keep your nimble hardtail for those types of trails. My only gripe about this bike involves the brakes. These do squeak a lot when wet and are fiddly to adjust. I would have preferred something more reliable and quieter (avid mechanicals?) in exchange for the hydraulic power that I don't really need for my type of riding, though downhillers will no doubt appreiciate it. (I had to have the brake reservoirs replaced under warranty because of leaky seals). Overall though, I really appreiciate the bikes durability and the fact that it's capable of getting me over just about anything ridable on the trail. (The tyres rock too!) Great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rockett
a Downhiller
from Calgary AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Seven, Golden BC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | great component spec. Love the geometry of the frame. A time proven 4-bar linkage. Unbelievably strong welds. Adjustable travel. | | Weaknesses: | Little problem with it skipping gears when I first got it but when the cables stretched to where they were gonna stay and I got things adjusted, it was fine. Oh,, and the Rockshox Phylo is cr@p!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky Deluxe, Kona Dawg,, Trek Liquid,,, Rocky Mountiain Switch | | Bike Setup: | Stock... but I'm switching the Phylo to a Sherman as soon as I get the $$beans$$ | | Bottom Line: | This is actually a reveiew for the 2002 model but I didn't see that as an option anymore. Love this Bike!! I heard a lot of people say that the Rockshox Pro Deluxe is a cr@p rear shock but I have to disagree. I have beaten on this shock over the past few weeks and I'm still doing great with it. I'm a bigger guy as well @ 225 lbs and I'm hitting 5 footers to flat no prob. If you're hucking this thing off you roof (12 footers +) you should be riding a beefyer bike anyway. The Phylo has to go, its way to soft. All around great all purpose bike but you really want to have a trail that has more downhill then up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny
a Downhiller
from Ottawa Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | On Line New | | Strengths: | Swinger, Components, Solid construction, Excelent pedal, looks good, price, xt, Raceface, Hayse, Sun, All good components. | | Weaknesses: | RS Psylo definatly not a shock suited for this frame what were they thinking?, never even mounted it sold it right out of the box and strapped on a JRT, When every other company is going with longer travel Giant shortens theirs from 6.5 to 6.3 Why Why Why??? The swinger makes up for it though but the stock 450 lb spring is extreamly light. | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, Marin DH, RM6 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with 2003 JRT and 550 lb spring, MEC Bash ring, Flats | | Bottom Line: | The weaknesses I mentioned are nothing a little customizing cant fix, I think Giant needs to take a step back and re think the marketing on this bike when they do not provide a balanced suspension and void the warranty if you put a triple clamp on it. With the beefy head tube I have never known any body who has snapped one with a triple, what does that say about their faith in their product? But despite all that it is the best ride for the money. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay Schaefer
a Weekend Warrior
from Claremont, CA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Used (frame only) | | Strengths: | The SPV coil 4 way works as advertised. Confidence inspiring. No bob at all. Plush 5-6 inches of rear travel. Decent all around geometry. | | Weaknesses: | It is a little heavy to push up the long climbs so I usually ride with my clipless pedals (I know it's sacreligious). Also, the integrated headset worries me a little bit as far as durability goes, but I think they might have changed the setup on the 04. | | Similar Products Used: | Truth, Y-5, Scalpel, various Rocky Mountain. | | Bike Setup: | Psylo XC (stiff kit), Avid Mech disks, XT hubs, Rhyno Lite rims, Race Face prodigy xc cranks, XT der, egg beaters, Panaracer Fire tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension and I cant wipe the grin off my face. It hooks up on climbs better than my hardtail, but the weight penalty slows me down a little. I love to bomb on this bike. It feels solid underneath me and rolls right through the stuff that would have knocked me off line and into the woods on my old ride. I have cleaned several sections that I had been unable to get through before and I rode drops (10-12 ft rollers, a 4 ft stage etc.) that I wouldn't have considered on the old rockhopper. If you can only afford one bike and like to go really fast on it, you should check this thing out. Good for anything on dirt short of full on downhill or hucking and light enough (I guess about 34lbs but not sure) to avoid cardiac arrest on climbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob O'Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Logan, WV USA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Davis Creek Trail-Kanawha State Forest near Charleston WV | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Huntington Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | I posted a previous review after riding for a few months, and thought I would update. This bike will take you anywhere you want to go. It has rear suspension that feels endless; I’ve yet to bottom out. It is sturdy, and designed for a Clydesdale like myself. Over the last 6 months or so, I’ve put many, many miles on this bike, and I have had absolutely ZERO problems. I’ve any had to true my wheels one time, and trust me… lesser wheels would be taco salad after that day.
It has a very nice stable platform that really doesn’t hurt you much when you really lay down the juice.
| | Weaknesses: | The Psylo. I got the heavier springs and it made a very big difference though... I like the fork much better now. Before I installed the springs, I was seriously eyeing a Z150 FR though...
Also, this bike should never have come with clipless pedals. I got some Mosh platforms, and that problem was solved as well. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with the exception of the stiffer springs in the Psylo and the Platforms in place of the clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | You wanna go big? You wanna take some of your favorite trails to the next level? Get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Murray
a
from Huntsville
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | high way/The wall | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Muskoka bike pro shop | | Strengths: | Rear suspension is sooooo sick you can't beat it. The breakes never quit ryno lite rims my be cheap but there strong QR 20 hub and axel is sick | | Weaknesses: | the seal blew on the psylos after the third month. | | Similar Products Used: | ac3 devinchi guzzler devinchi magma rocky mountain edge king pin | | Bike Setup: | xt front and back derailers lx shifters 4 way swinger rear shock psylo's race face bash ring and prodigy dh crankes hayes hydro with 8 inch rotors titec ringleader handle bars titec big al stem titec speed v seat titec seat post ryno lite rims octopus front tire and ninja dh and the back | | Bottom Line: | This bike is soo sick it looks gawsome especially with a cople good stickers on it . the 4 way swinger is awsome it holds up to the 10 foot drops no probem i've bent the ryno lites a couple times. and blowin the seal kinda sucked but he go big or go home. If u wanna chat about bikin wit me jus add me on msn at Purerush@hotmail.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert
a Weekend Warrior
from lomita
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | del cerro park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | dont know were to start, this thing is the shizzel.i have thrown this thing just about off everything,and it just keeps asking for more.do a lot of freeride/downhill nice light bike,no need to hike a bike lol. | | Weaknesses: | get a MRP LRP MP-3-104f chain guide its nice 2 ring combo for this bike,a must have for the free rider.next ditch those crappy tires and go for the spealized roller pro 2.6 it stuffs in the frame sweet | | Similar Products Used: | many tested, much put to rest lol | | Bike Setup: | mrp lrp chain guide,spealized roller pros 2.6,soon rock shock 2004 boxer 7 inch or somthing,raceface diablo steam,chris king head set,SGF linkage up-grade to 7.5 inches to 8.5 inches soon #1-909-866-7571 call they will hook you up | | Bottom Line: | this bike is shizzel my nizzel lol.but really i did my home work on this bike i think i got an "A".read an article in "Mountain Bike Action" november 2003 issue it says that giant says that they reinforced the 1-1/8"head tube making it acceptable to run triple-clamp forks without voiding the warranty.could it get any better.hook yours up ,im going to.this bike is to hot to rate.Thanks to all the people that helped me get this together,BIKE PALACE,CIRCLE CYCLE,HELENS BIKES,BEYOND BIKES,MRP ,AND ON | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy
a Downhiller
from Monument, CO
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | "Stupid" Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | This bike is awesome. hands down. i like doin the urban biking and this thing holds up like a tank. | | Weaknesses: | This fork is not meant for this bike. i can do an endo and it bottoms it out. oh well, its easy to get new springs. and those are cheap so. also sorta soft in the back so i got a 500 lb spring though i am only 140 lbs. brakes are noisy. | | Similar Products Used: | Well, lots of bikes. probably too many to name | | Bike Setup: | raceface bashgaurd, stiffer springs, front and back, stock otherwise | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great. If you got the legs you can pedal this thing great up hills. But once you turn around, thats when it gets good. As long as your not doin extreme freeriding (over 12 footers) then this bike holds up great. i would recommend this to anyone. But get a new spring up front, it helps like you wouldnt believe. Its light, and for the price, componets are sweeet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charley McDowell
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz California, USA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | mail boxes | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | family cycling center | | Strengths: | I have last years model but just to show how durable this bike is, I thought I might tell you that after a trip to moab and a trip to whistler and riding this bike as hard as I could it still rides like a black beuty. The bike handles insanely well and the only major change I have made is a new fork but that is just because I wanted to even my bike out to six and six. | | Weaknesses: | no weakness | | Bike Setup: | stock with manitou six inch sherman | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Campbell River, B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mikes Bluff | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain City Cycles | | Strengths: | Bombproof, componentry for the $$. And GREAT REVIEWS on MTB REVIEW!!! | | Weaknesses: | Under sprung!! And possibly the Psylo up front... :\ | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Joker,Stinky-Deluxe | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except changed cranks to XTR-952 with octalink splined BB. Chanhed pedals to Time-Z platforms. | | Bottom Line: | This bike should rip it up as the previous reviews show. I am 210lbs so a urgent upgrade to 500lb rear spring and either a new fork or stiffer springs upfront. I will give another review shortly.... :\ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Paradise,Nf,Canada
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | "Suicide" | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2850.00 | | Purchased At: | Earle Industries(LBS) | | Strengths: | Swinger,Frame and set-up,brakes,XT derailers,Race Face Prodigy DH's and the psylo | | Weaknesses: | fork is way to soft but it is gonna be fixed in a couple of weeks,rims(changing to Mavic D521),tires have loads of rolling resistence and pack up in wet conditions(changed to maxxis mobsters),and why would they put clip-ins on a freeride bike | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock accept for pedals(axiom),stem(Race Face Diabouls),tires(mobster and a mofo),Race Face Bashgaurd(i am also planning to put answer pro taper handlebars on) | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for pretty much everything,great components,everything a light freeride bike should be.All of it is great,you can just get on and beat the $hit out of it without complaint(8 1/2 foot drops and a huge 40 foot gap as well as haevy,aggressive trail riding and dirt jumps.Overall this is one hell of a ride.BUY IT!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob O'Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Logan, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Davis Creek Trail, Kanawha State Forest in WV | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Huntington Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | Extremely well built; I am a very large man (290 lbs.), and I like to do jumps. This bike is up to the challenge. It's got a great component selection (sans the stock Psycho... it's much to soft), and the ride is unreal. We're talking super plush here. The paint is very nice and tough as well. This bike is built to take abuse. The brakes are awesome. This bike makes you cocky and inspires confidence. | | Weaknesses: | Two words: The Psylo. I've ordered stiffer springs however, and they're relatively inexpensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid, Kona Stinky, KHS FR 1500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock (until my new springs for the Psylo come in). | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I have ever ridden. GET ONE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | stupidly happy & nirvana at Daisy Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Riders Cyclery Mt Gravatt | | Strengths: | Seems very strong and rigid despite multiple pivots, 8" hayes power, swinger rear shock, multi-travel settings, xt derailers, burly raceface cranks, can put seat down on 03 frames, strong wheels, price/value | | Weaknesses: | Some brake jacking, takes a while to get used to weight, intermittent rubbing from discs, uncomfortable seat, raceface SRX BB is only recommended for XC use so don't know what it is doing on a freeride bike | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized 2001 Rockhopper FSR with duke SL's, Giant 2003 xtc-se2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far except upgraded at time of puchase to Sherman Fireflys (dont think i ever wont to own another set of rockshox), expensive upgrade but more than worth it in hindsite, M545 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a bike that I could do some decent riding/jumping on without worrying about braking it. My old rockhopper cracked under the pressure, literally. The AC2 has excellent spec for the price and has a few years of refinement behind it. However, the weight of the bike at approx 37lbs was somewhat of a shock for me but I am getting used to it. It doesn't feel heavy as such to manouvre but you tend to feel it on the uphills. You can't expect a bike to be strong and weigh nothing, simple as that. The AC is so much fun to ride I almost can't stand riding my xtc hardtail (rough as guts bike) anywhere. Anyone considering an AC2 should seriously look at upgrading to the Shermans, you will never look back. I got the Fireflys with firm-ride spring (I'm 176lbs) and 20mm axle and they are awesome!! I can't rate them highly enough and it seems I actually got what I paid for. The bike is a great package and I find myself lauching off anything that happens to be in front of me. It is great fun going as fast as you can and jumping parts of a trail that your mates can't for fear of mechanical failure. Another reason I chose the AC2 was the manitou swinger shock. Whilst I am having a little warranty issue at the moment (nothing major, slow leak at schrader valve) the shock pretty much does what it is supposed to provided you don't really stomp unevenly on the pedals and keep a relatively smooth pedal action on those long uphills you don't suffer to much. I run the 6.3" travel setting in the rear most of the time so the SPV shock is appreciated. In summary the only things that I wouldn't mind changing on the AC2 is the occasional brake-jacking of the rear end on really rough terrain and dropping a little weight. My next tyres will be Continental 2.3" vertical pro's with kevlar beads @ 600g and should save almost 1kg, cheap n easy. The Octopus tyres are good but I prefer the round prifile of the Verticals. So if you are looking for a well priced hardcore trail/freeride bike with excellent parts spec and are willing to look past the initial weight shock I think it is hard to go past the AC2. For me, only time will tell if the bike is durable but I can't imagine there will be any dramas. The AC2 might not make you faster from A-B, unless it is all downhill, but you will have a lot more fun getting there! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon V
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Majura pines | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1846.00 | | Purchased At: | Wagga wagga | | Strengths: | For the money I could not find a better bike,and I spent some time looking. The spec's are good and for some reason AC2 large frame. I have XT front and rear when it should have only been LX front. Does not feel heavy at all, weighs less than my old rigid and both have hit me in the back of the head. | | Weaknesses: | Rear spring 500lb and weak Psylo's spring(fixable?). Oh and why would you supply clipless pedels on a bike you have to abandon on a regular basis, some times on purpose. The Chain stay is very thin walled and dents easly. The tyres Hutch/octopus are poor on wet mud but seem good on every thing else. | | Similar Products Used: | AC1 (my mate bought this one at the same time i got mine, he can't ride it for a while, dislocated his shoulder going over the handle bar. love it pricey), KONA STINKY (specs are lower for the same money) | | Bike Setup: | Sold the clipless pedels got some DMR V8's. Have ordered a heavy duty spring for the Psylo's and will run thicker oil. I run the rear in the 5.3" setting and is good. | | Bottom Line: | I am a lard arse 125Kg (275lb) so the rear shock spring is a bit weak at 500lb, the only upgrade is to a 550lb spring and 50lb is stuff all, what I need is a 600-650lb. In the mean time running the rear in the 5.3" slot stiffend up the rear just nice. This is an awsom bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon V
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Majura pines | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1846.00 | | Purchased At: | Wagga wagga | | Strengths: | For the money I could not find a better bike,and I spent some time looking. The spec's are good and for some reason AC2 large frame. I have XT front and rear when it should have only been LX front. Does not feel heavy at all, weighs less than my old rigid and both have hit me in the back of the head. | | Weaknesses: | Rear spring 500lb and weak Psylo's spring(fixable?). Oh and why would you supply clipless pedels on a bike you have to abandon on a regular basis, some times on purpose. The Chain stay is very thin walled and dents easly. The tyres Hutch/octopus are poor on wet mud but seem good on every thing else. | | Similar Products Used: | AC1 (my mate bought this one at the same time i got mine, he can't ride it for a while, dislocated his shoulder going over the handle bar. love it pricey), KONA STINKY (specs are lower for the same money) | | Bike Setup: | Sold the clipless pedels got some DMR V8's. Have ordered a heavy duty spring for the Psylo's and will run thicker oil. I run the rear in the 5.3" setting and is good. | | Bottom Line: | I am a lard arse 125Kg (275lb) so the rear shock spring is a bit weak at 500lb, the only upgrade is to a 550lb spring and 50lb is stuff all, what I need is a 600-650lb. In the mean time running the rear in the 5.3" slot stiffend up the rear just nice. This is an awsom bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jackson Simm
a Weekend Warrior
from Gold Coast, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | No Wimps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Ferry Rode Cycles | | Strengths: | When the Hayes brakes are not rubbing they work like magic. The frame can take anything you throw at it and the XT deraliers work nicely but I have put the chain giude on the front. The Hutchinson tires are the best the work incredibly well on dirt but on rode they will be bald in a matter of weeks. | | Weaknesses: | I have had many problems with the Psylos they are continuously loosing oil and I am not over weight so it is disapointing. The brakes tend to rub on the pads a little but come and go. That's basically it the Rock Shox forks on my former bike had the same problems and after telling a few other riders they said they have had the same problems with Rock Shox | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp DS1,(1998), Axmen, (2002) | | Bike Setup: | As it came except for some SMP V8 pedals and im considering new Manitou Shermans like on the AC1. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike I love it. Handles what ever you throw at it with minor disruptions that will barely do anything to your performance. I would always consider changing the forks to another brand if you had the oppurtunity because with my Rock Shox history they will cause hasle and even some much needed and hard earned money which you dont seem to have a lot of after buying the bike in the first place. This bike pretty much is for anyone who like a bit of it all. If your into one specified type of riding, by a bike for that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Downhiller
from alamo
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | plush rear suspension, powerful hayes mag brakes, unnotable bob while sitting. easily adjustable front suspension | | Weaknesses: | the rear suspension causes slack in the chain and makes it shift randomly while climbing when out of the saddle. also, the psylo xc fork is very unresponsive on small rocks. i was riding at northstar in tahoe on it, and there were tiny rocks all throughout the trail, and it was like riding with a full rigid fork. the tires that were selected are horrible, and barely hook up on loose terrain | | Similar Products Used: | specialzed big hit, enduro, epic | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | an average bike, but i don't think that it is worth 2 grand. i personally wouldn't pay that much money. the shock and some components are really cool, but thats it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Rose
a Weekend Warrior
from bayville nj USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Allaire state park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Brick Bicycle | | Strengths: | frame design, parts spec, geometry, paint job. | | Weaknesses: | soofar the only problems i've had were the springs front and rear where too soft on the small frame so an upgrade was needed. manitou was quik to deliver thier spring but rockshock took some time. and the octopus tires roll slow. | | Similar Products Used: | first generation AC1, kona stinky, divinci magma, khs dominatrax | | Bike Setup: | all stock except for spring rates. | | Bottom Line: | I rode the AC1 for 2 years and it survived everything from local trails to downhill, so with the increased suspension in the back and the beefed up frame this year should prove to be tougher than the last two models. I've had this thing flyin over some 5 footers and no complaints at all so far. The real test should come in a couple of weeks when i take it to mountain creek to shoot the mountain with it. In my opinion if you can only afford one bike why not get a bike that does it all, for me the ac is that bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Downhiller
from Carmel, IN
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | I like and trails with jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | i got the bike from thw shop that i work for | | Strengths: | Most of the components are great. The wheels and frame can handle some abuse. | | Weaknesses: | The hayes brakes have terrable rubbing problems. I don't like the psylo for either. | | Similar Products Used: | I have demo'ed many of my friends moutain bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Everything is stock except the MRP system I installed. | | Bottom Line: | If you buy this bike you will probably want to get spring upgrades and possibly change the brakes. If you want to do some serious free or downhill riding, this is probably not the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Truro, NS
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wentworth | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Hub Cycle | | Strengths: | everything except for the Hayes levers and the Psylo | | Weaknesses: | Hayes levers...leaking fluid...stupid design...the little seal never set right...one lever had lots of play...sticking all the time. The physlo sucks ass...bottomed it out numerous times...I'm getting a JR T and putting the psylo on me hardtail...where it belongs... | | Bike Setup: | everything stock except for Maxxis Highrollers 2.5s and a soon to be JR T. | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike!!! Love the way it feels...handles...confidence boosting!!! I've never ridden a full suspension before this bike...instantly fell in love!! I do wish there was a way you could specify what springs you wanted when you ordered the bike...I'd like a heavier rear spring, and would have ordered the heavier springs for the pyhslo. I'm weigh over 200lbs and a bike setup with medium springs just isn't right...but maybe that's not Giant's fault...maybe the suspension manufacturer. Hayes is warrantying the levers for me. Other than that I'm pretty happy with the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Jewel Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Frame is tough,quiet,gussted in all the major stress points. Swinger rides really nice and lets you climb with minimal bob. Component spec is awsome,XT everywhere. So far has been taking 5-6ft drops repeatedly without complaint. I'm new to Freeride so I haven't gone bigger yet. | | Weaknesses: | I've always been a rock shock fan and have a SID on my XC rig but the psylo SUCKED! I'm only 145-150 lbs and I would bottom it every ride.(even without drops) Plus what's with the screwed up travel markings, bad! Hutchison Octopus tires are great on dry stuff but pack up instantly on anything remotely wet. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested,Trek Fluid, Devici Magma, norco vps,kona stinky,brodie devo, santa cruz heckler/bullit, liked the beefiness of the AC but didn't feel like it had a piano tied to it's ass like the others. | | Bike Setup: | Changed the psylo to a Marzocchi JrT and love it. Have only bottomed it once and I nosed dropped a 4 ft high bridge. Amazingly I can still climb almost all the same stuff I can on my XC rig (with a little more effort), swapped the big ring for an ENVY rock ring and shortened my chain, doesn't drop on rough descents any more, Block 8 sealed pedals, these are awsome!!! | | Bottom Line: | Great for my first freeride bike. Has handled everything I've done so far and even with the triple crown fork in a size medium it only weighs 39 pounds! With the few changes I've made this bike is sweet to ride and should last me a long time. I love the fact that it is in my opinion a true "Freeride" bike, it goes up,down,around,and even off anything you throw at it. And it was 1000-1500 bucks cheaper than any of the custom built bikes I looked at. Now time to ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Engman
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockholm, Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bob Sled Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedalogerna, Stockholm | | Strengths: | Strong, active, fast and very balanced. Suited for easy to rough trailbiking and downhill. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy but i cant complain, its not a pure xcbike its a easy dh-er. But i juse it for heavy trailbiking. | | Similar Products Used: | Its my second fullsuspensionbike, the first was a pureblooded downhiller. | | Bike Setup: | RockShox Psylo XC, Öhlin Racing Shock, XT, Hope C2, Gazza, Hunchy Octopus, Profily Stiffy stem with Profile FR riserbar, Flite Gel | | Bottom Line: | I like to do rough trailbiking with mixed ups and downs, with tricky root,rock,drop and water sections. I first owned a ht but wanted a fsr bike that could take my abuse and also assist me trooughout the trailride. I first bought me a fullblood downhillbike that did 150mm front and rear. The downhiller was nice but to heavy to climb with. So went and bought me this AC2 thinking that this one is tough and strong that is good for my ridingstyle. And i must say that i am very pleased with the performance. Even all my friend that do active trailriding fell in love with the AC2 performance and handling. The best bike i have tried. Now i can climb, jump and rish downhill with ease and under fullcontroll.
If you want a bike that can handle XC,DH,DS then buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 2200.00
