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Submitted by
G Dub
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamo, CA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wall Point Y'all | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes | | Strengths: | When set right, perfect uphill. Whip-like cornering combined with the right tires makes X-C riding a breeze. | | Weaknesses: | Loose bottom bracket after minimal use. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (out of the box, what with kids and all). Upgraders go girl. | | Bottom Line: | It works for my 3 rides per week - straight uphill, cruising and straight back down; I'm not that demanding, but this bike makes my "workout" easy. After four years of riding it XC, it still feels like new. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andres Puente
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City,Mexico/St. Louis MO,USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Barryman & Chubb | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle shop | | Strengths: | very light bike, handles great, and doesn't bob much at all. couldn't be happier with any other bike except an NRS 1 or AIR. | | Weaknesses: | has bottomed out a couple of times when comming of some bigger jumps and drop offs | | Similar Products Used: | Gian warp, raleigh M60 | | Bottom Line: | I ride hard and love jumping so I was hesitant to getting the NRS because of the air pump and because it wasn't going to take the abuse like the warp did, but was I surprised with the rgidity and how the NRA doesn't give in. I just put a little more air in the shocks if I know I'll be riding hard or going off jumps.
this is a bike for cross country and weekend warriors. I ride 2 or 3 times a week and have enjoyed every minute of my NRS. it is sprising how much faster I can climb, downhill, and brake. two thumbs up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Double J
a
from NYC/VT
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Giant Bicycles | | Strengths: | Lightness, durability and NRS | | Weaknesses: | Rear derrailleur hits chain stay a problem corrected with 2002 models. | | Similar Products Used: | Came from Hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Race Face stem, bar, Next LP cranks/rings, headset and BB; New Hayes disc (had Avid Arch Rivals rims); SunRingle Disc Jockey wheels; IRC Mythos XC; Marzocchi z.2 Xfly; XTR rear der; XT front der and shifters; thomson post; selle italia flite. | | Bottom Line: | The is an update to my review of two years ago. Since then, many, many miles have been logged on this frame which was a warranty upgrade from Giant XtC hardtails. This bike has been all over VT, the NYC metro area and southern France (Pyrenees) and has delivered unbelievable reliability and performance. I only ride XC and this is and continues to be an amazing frame.
Having upgraded to disc brakes was a great move and as it turns out, these are the brakes that would have originally come with the bike.
An awesome all around XC frame whether eastern riding or any where.
Giant bikes are packed with value and quality, so much so, I bought a road bike for training. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riggs
a Cross Country Rider
from Bronx, NY
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sprain Ridge Park, Yonkers NY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Manhattan Bicycles, NYC | | Strengths: | Great frame design and rear shock set-up. Lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | not enough rear wheel clearance. rear derailleur bangs on chainstay, even w/ buffer. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar Pro, '99 GT i-Drive, Giant Warp DS1. | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox Psylo fork, club Roost riser bar, Kore lite stem, Thomson elite seatpost, Sun rims (XC), Avid Mech. Disc Brakes, Shiamno Deore 27 speed drivetrain, LX Hollowtech crank | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an agile little F*#@%er!!! it climbs great, accelerates like a hardtail, and it's phenomenal on the technicals. So far it's been very responsive... but since I've only had the bike for a short time, I still have to get used to it. Needless to say I'll be back w/ a follow-up review. Great XC bike! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a
from orono, maine
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything at Plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | The cycle loft in CT | | Strengths: | Takes a lot of abuse, looks great, climbs great, fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | Wheelset. The tubeless wheels that came stock suck. I've had nothing but problems with them (and I'm a mechanic!) The tires suck as well.They were the first things to go. Not a huge fan of the SID, but it works just fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the crankset and BB (upgraded to a Race Face Turbine with Splined BB), handlebar (got a riser), seatpost (Thomson), saddle (selle italia), tires (Hutchinson in the front and Kenda in the rear) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, but I have lost all faith in tubeless wheels and tires. They suck, bottom line. Got rid of some of the heavier low end race face stuff, which was nice. Brakes are awesome, best part of the bike. The frame design is cool if you have it set up correctly. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PIVOT BOLTS! Mine have a habit of working loose, evern with locktite on them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV ex SF Bay area USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | One of the dozens of local single track | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Great value, light, OUTSTANDING suspension design, Hayes discs ROCK. | | Weaknesses: | A few little details...derailluer bangs on swingarm (Giant fixed this in 2002). Rear cable rubs on frame. Stock seat sucks. Be sure to replace the stock Hayes pads with EBC's...no squeek and far better feel. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I drive 1.0, Klien Adept, GT XCR. | | Bike Setup: | High rise stem, Selle ti saddle, easton seat post. Shimano "bear trap" style SPD pedals. Otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | Now that the bloom is off the rose...well, it isn't. This thing still rocks. I ride hard and fast on downhill single track (almost always first down the hill), do a lot of climbing, and ride a fair amount of technical trails, 4-7 days a week over some really rocky, nasty bouldery terrain. Plus I weigh 190 dressed out, all this is to say I'm not easy on a bike. I've broken one spoke, and I'm on my 3rd chain. That's it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rolinnobs
a
from gvegas
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | leominster state forest, vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | oneil's | | Strengths: | brakes, | | Weaknesses: | dereiller slap, pedals, thin frame, fork, grips, bars, wheelset, tires, rear end flex, rear hubs, BB | | Similar Products Used: | xcr1000, | | Bike Setup: | psylo sl, shim 545's, crossmaxx, crow bar's, KK hubs, xtr BB | | Bottom Line: | i switched out the weak except for the frntderaylerandankset. the wheels are to flexxy for anyone who is going to hammer any tech. fork is to flexxy for anyone going to do any steep tech descents, and not enough travel. after bike got set up the thing rips. can handle 4-5 footers no problem. run the rear shock a little softer, if you don't mind a little bob. the frame is a little sketchy. i would of paid the $ for a bike 2lbs heavier and a tougher frame. I should have bought an AC. i didn't buy this thing still rips. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Birmingham
a Cross Country Rider
from Belle Mead, New Jersey
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wawayanda State Park & Sourland Mtn Preserve | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Hardtail performance, lightness, agility. Love the SID XC front shock. | | Weaknesses: | Frame has chipped in a few places (I ride hard), and I'm wondering how well bike will stand up over time.... | | Bike Setup: | Downspec'd version of the full-blown NRS1. Mavic 517 tubed rims with XT disc hubs and Panaracer XC tires (versus the stock tubeless tires and rims), Avid mechanical discs (versus Hayes Hydraulic). I like the setup exactly as-is! The wheel setup (with the Avid Mechanicals) is awesome!!! | | Bottom Line: | I rode a hardtail (Giant ATX) for years, and this bike outclimbs it!!!! It's awesome. I ride some very rocky, technical trails and this bike lets me clean sections I would have dared try on my hardtail. For the same money you can pick up the NRS2, which is spec'd similarly. That, too is a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Makara all of it. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | VIC Cycles Lower Hutt WGTN | | Strengths: | Climbs really well, no bob unless you really cannot pedal, handles well with a stiff light frame. | | Weaknesses: | Rear Hub in particular the axles, broke two within three months, checked the rear triangle for misalighnemt all was OK , rear hub replaced (XT) by local shop free of charge, hooray for Giant seems to be all good. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro Haro Full squishy | | Bike Setup: | Standard except 2001 Physlo's on the front and sticker tires then the girly ones it came with. | | Bottom Line: | Apart from the broken axles and replaced rear hub has been an excellent buy and a trusty companion for some serious mileage and abuse in the weekends with the occassional race thrown in for fun. Setup of the bike and rear shock is pretty easy but the rear end will start to get noisy after a while. Frame is ersiously light and stiff but some of the Raceface copy parts are a bit on the fat side. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Baton Rouge, LA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Connection - Gonzales, LA | | Strengths: | Overall Design; SID SL Fork; Hayes Hydraulic Disc Brakes; XT Rear Derailleur; TIME Pedals; Light Weight; Paint Job | | Weaknesses: | Koski Saddle; Grips; Deore Shifters | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | All Stock except for KOOBI SI Saddle | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome! It's no wonder it was Mountain Biking Magazine's Overall Bike of the Year for 2001. I can't ride it enough. It's fast, handles great, and it climbs like a goat (better than my hard tail ever did). With the factory suggested set-up for the rear shock, there is no bob that I'm aware of. There is one flaw in the pre-2002 design though. The rear derailleur knocks against the chain stay on rough sections of trail, so they put a piece of rubber on the chainstay for a bumper. This "bumper" flattened out relatively quick, so I made my own out of a piece of a rubber bungee strap. I attached it to the chain stay with electrical tape, and then I covered it with a Lizard Skin for looks. It works just fine, and is a simple solution to a minor nuisance. The 2002 model has a redesigned chainstay that completely eliminates the problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Ipp
a Weekend Warrior
from Frederick Md
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Senaca Creek, Gaithersburg Md | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frederick Schwinn | | Strengths: | Light! good design ... it works as designed (with no sag!) good components. Came stock with XT hubs even though not called out on specs ... great suprise! Great for you who are looking for good XC bike. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano chain broke in first few days (SRAM upgrade) ... upgraded front derailer also because of popular opinion (these reviews) to XTR and has been riding fine. Frame sounds thin (it is) but no problems! (just not used to illuminum) before you buy one, tap on all the frames of your favorites and let me know what you hear! | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension. looked at all available | | Bike Setup: | Stock except, new front Derailer (XTR) and SRAM chain (great deign and easily removed for cleaning)Air pressure is your weight +10lbs positive and 50-60 negative for rear shock and play from there! my LBS thought it should be your weight positive and your weight negative but that is for other designs! follow Giant's recomendations and you will like what you bought! | | Bottom Line: | Although low miles accrued so far, i like the design, the paint, and the weight. Time will tell how it holds up but Giant garauntees for 5 years ... and keep in mind this is about cross-country riding and switch-backs NOT radical drop-offs down-hill missions. For the radical, ("bike beaters") try the DH or Giant's AC ... it has more travel and a tougher frame (and more weight).
NRS will take abuse (and the bumps) but buy it for what it is designed for! XC | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Planetary Cycles | | Strengths: | Quick in corners, great climbing, Great braking power thanks to Hayse Disc. | | Weaknesses: | Tubles tiers, Seat, Frt Derailer, Chain slap on hard action, Rear Hub fails but Giant fixed the problem. I added innertubes becouse I was loosing air from hard impacts. Also, a spare tube is lighter to cary then a spare tire and less costly. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Suger 1, Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Seat, "Crowbar" handelbars, XT crank, XT BB, XT Ft Derailer, XT Shifter pods, Sram Chain, innertubes and Wellgo peadels. | | Bottom Line: | Dispite some of the problems I have had with the rear hub, this is absolutly the best XC bike to have. Smooth suspension makes riding over roots and other trail obsticles a breese. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Richards Bay, South Africa
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Logic | | Strengths: | Really good component spec for the price. Suspension works really well, brakes work well, excellent handling | | Weaknesses: | My frame has developed 2 cracks on the shock mount after about 10 months and 2500 km riding. I don't ride extreme stuff or do big jumps and I weigh about 85 kg. If you own one of these bikes inspect the area around the top of the shock mount directly next to the weld very carefully. | | Similar Products Used: | Hammered a Trek 8000 for about 4 years before the buying the Giant: same trails, same races. Never had any cracking problems. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but with Race Face low riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | The South African Giant importer, Dragons Sports, have refused to replace the frame because they say the cracks are not life threatening. The one crack on the top mount is about 10 mm long and the bottom one is about 5 mm long. They say rather to use it till the crack has grown some more in a few months more. So let's see: you cough up some big dough for a bike, in under a year it starts cracking and then you're just supposed to keep on riding it till it grows some more (and possibly fails)? That is totally unacceptable. If the crack started at all there is no way it's not going to grow some more!! Good bike, bad welding and bad back up service. No more Giant's for me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis Classen
a Cross Country Rider
from Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cambalache trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Colon's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | no bobbing climbing, plush fron suspension,pretty light, nice looks and colors, great breaks, fast tires. | | Weaknesses: | very hard seat, chain slapping problem | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose nx8.1 | | Bike Setup: | original except speedplay frog peddals, hell bent raiser. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, good components except the front derailluer. This bike gives a great ride, climbs wells and descends fast. Very stable going down and easy to control. Tires are not bad, it's just that tires are designed for hard pack and dry conditions, if you ride in the wet and muddy, buy a pair of the scorpions or Michellin XTS Grippers, they will do the job. This bike is the closest transition from hardtail to dual because of the non-bobbing adjustable rear suspension. So far I am very happy with the bike and competing with it in xc races. Buy one and have fun!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | Value. | | Weaknesses: | The rear end locks up under braking | | Similar Products Used: | I have an Intense Tracer also. | | Bottom Line: | After reading most of the reviews, nobody has mentioned how the rear end locks up when you're on the the brakes. It's really noticable on sketchy downhill sections because the rear end just locks up. Hasn't any other NRS owners notice this happening yet? This doesn't happen on my Tracer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Lanthier
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Dud Thames | | Strengths: | NRS Frame, Equipment. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Jeckyl, Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Race Face riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | This is the utimate bike for the moderately dedicated. Excellent stock equipment. Race Face, Hayes brakes and SID XC shocks. The geometry of the frame/rear shock allow for very limited movement during climbing while the rear shock damping allows for a smooth ride. I shopped around for a while to find this bike and I couldn't be more satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pam
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Patapsco Avalon, Schaffer Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Horizon Cycles (horizoncycles.com) | | Strengths: | Rides like a much lighter bike. UST Tubeless wheels/tires! Hayes Hydraulic Brakes! RaceFace components. Excellent bike for the buck. | | Weaknesses: | saddle, brake levers | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Gary Fisher Sugar, Giant XTC SE1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for: RaceFace Low-Riser bar, SRAM 9.0 half-pipe shifters, SRAM 9.0 front and rear derailleurs, Terry Liberator Ti-Race saddle, Razor Rock Stiffy brake levers | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent bike for the money. There is no other bike company out there putting these kind of components and quality on a bike at this price point. Giant is doing a good thing. I replaced the Shimano stuff because I prefer SRAM. I replaced the saddle, because, well, the one on it sucks, especially for a woman. I had a lot of trouble with brake reach (I always do) so I got these Razor Rock Stiffys (recently reviewed in a couple of MTB magazines. They are truely your one finger friend.) Also put on riser bars because I prefer those. I can't say enough about UST tubeless. Although the Pythons can slip out on you in wet, fast turns. I'm considering getting the Scorpions for when it is nasty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kasey Kump
a Cross Country Rider
from So. Jordan, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | temple quarry, porcupine rim, slic roc | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | South Valley Cycles (They suck, don't buy, stiff owner) | | Strengths: | Hayes brakes, of course the NRS system, the rims, everything pretty much, nice ride | | Weaknesses: | noting, all you seat weanies must be old men, you don't treat it like a couch, you rest for a period, then continue mad action.
| | Similar Products Used: | cannondale jekyll 900 Sl and GT I drive 2.0, specialized rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | stock, with lizardskinz | | Bottom Line: | This bike is cool, and perfect for anyriding, except DH. Great components, and is fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Bristol
a
from timonium, md, usa
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light, hayes, great choice of componentry, doesn't bob when climbing, decends well. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | DAMN... what an awesome bike. This bike rules. This is the bike for any rider whow likes the feel of a hardtail when climbing and the feel of a full suspension when decending. All I have to say is this is an awesome bike for anybody. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don C.
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Daley Ranch, Escondido | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1499.00 | | Purchased At: | Black Mountain Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great frame, brakes & suspension | | Weaknesses: | Minor items... such as seat, chain... like I said, minor items. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Selle Italia Trans Am seat, Easton EA70 riser bars and Egg Beater Pedals (awesome) | | Bottom Line: | There is no way to beat this bike for the money.
The weaknesses named in the reviews below are mostly just minor complaints regarding secondary components. This bikes primary components, frame/suspension system, brakes, are EXCELLENT!
You can upgrade those other items a little at a time.
This bike beats all others for value. At $1500 bucks, I have a truly premium ride. The strengths named below are true. It climbs great, and handles the rough stuff without a problem...and stops on a dime!
The only thing that I had trouble with is the stock pedals...I just couldn't get out of 'em easy enough in crash situations. After going down with the bike too many times, I replaced the ATAC's with Egg Beaters. I love those pedals. I've had 1 flat with the tubeless tires, which was caused by a thorn. I rode home with the thorn in the tire (at low pressure) and after roughing the inside of the tire up with course sandpaper, I put a Park self-adhesive patch on it. It's been fine since then. I run about 28 lbs psi. I weigh about 150lbs. E-mail me if you have recommendations for shock settings for that weight (I'm still experimenting).
The bottom line: This is an excellent race-ready bike for the money! If you buy one... I think you'll be extremely pleased with your investment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilkesboro NC
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hobby Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | brakes, tubeless tires | | Weaknesses: | rear hubs, BB | | Similar Products Used: | Rocket's, Fuels | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | A good bike overall. NRS works well. I weigh 220 and have the shock at 220/50 (still doesn't bob). BB creaked from the 1st ride (LBS replaced it) and the rear hub died at the 2 month mark (LBS replaced it as well). The tube walls sound very thin but they have not dented after several crashes. This bike will make you ride over your head. Much quicker than my hardtail.Worth the $. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charley Rome
a Racer
from Baton Rouge, LA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oak Mountain, Birmingham, AL | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frankford Bicycle (frame only) | | Strengths: | Light weight, good design, excellent value, cool black and yellow colors | | Weaknesses: | No lockout on SID XC rear shock
No compression dampending adjustment on the rear shock | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 23.3 pounds total weight, SID SL, Mavic 517/Hugi hubs, FSA Ti BB, XT/XTR derailleurs/brakes/cassette (8 speed), SRAM chain, Avid 1.9 SL brake levers, Bontrager Race crankset, Tamer carbonfiber reinforced flat handlebar, Salsa Chili Pepper Grips, Cane Creek Z2 integrated headset (with removable cups), Gore Ride-on cables, Kore seatpost and stem, Selle Italia Flite Bi-color saddle, Specialized Dirt Control Team (front) and Hutchinson Python Airlight rear (both using Stan's tubeless system). | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best full suspension value around. I paid $800 for the frame from Frankford Bicycle Inc. A Sugar frame will cost you $1,200. It ain't 50 percent better. It might not be better at all.
I bought the frame by itself because I did not like the components on the full model. I don't need heavy disk brakes and UST tires/wheels. I running super light clincher wheels and tires with Stan's Tubeless system. Light weight and puncture resistance too, what more do you want? I wanted the bike much lighter that the 26 pounds as a complete bike from the factory. It weights about 23.5 pounds now (size small frame).
The first thing I noticed is how well the bike corners. I sink into the travel and can rail corners. The bike floats down small and moderate drop offs like riding a cloud. Big drop offs cause the derailleur to hit the chain stay (caused by the unusual Horst link design). I hear they fixed this problem with the 2002 model.
I can stay seated and power pedal over rough sections that I would have stood for on my old bike. This allows me to really attack sections and maintain momentum that I would have lost otherwise. I love that!
The big thing about this bike is the "No Bob" characteristic. I won't bore you with the technicals on this. I will tell you that I did not prefer the factory suggested settings on the rear SID XC air shock. Giant recommends 20 psi over rider body weight in the positive chamber, and 50 psi in the negative chamber (regardless of rider weight). I found this setting too harsh. I only weight 135 pounds. I want the rear end to actually work. I don't care if it moves around a little on climbs and pedalling out of the saddle. I don't want to give up the small bump sensitivity that comes with the factory setting.
Overall, a rockin' bike and excellent value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Trelz
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Castelwood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Center - EV | | Strengths: | frame; climbing ability; handling; rear suspension; lack of pedalling bob; tires; looks | | Weaknesses: | Seat; chain; f/r derailleurs | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC SE 2; Gary Fisher 2; Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except seat, pedals, chain; front and rear derailleurs | | Bottom Line: | Many of these reviews talk about the climbing ability of this bike and many of them seem to be repeating the same theme, such as "climbs like a goat" or similar words. The descriptions seemed to be trite. I was skeptical until I rode the bike. On the first ride, I took it to the toughest climb in the area. On my hardtail, I never made it all the way to the top. The climb is full of loose rocks, slick roots, loose dirt and gravel which often resulted in back wheel spin and stalls. Additionally, there are difficult switchbacks which always robbed my momentum. On this bike, I made it all the way to the top with no problems on the first attempt! The tires grabbed the ground and propelled me up the hill. It was incredible how much difference a bike could make. Now, I am able to make it up most climbs with little difficulty. This bike was built for climbing and it delivers. I am also amazed at how well it handles. On twisting single track, it simply flows. I am very happy with the bike. It's a keeper.
I have seen criticisms of the tires on this bike. I do not understand these comments because I love the tires. They are fantastic on hard pack and acceptable in mud. I have had zero problems with the beads on the tubeless tires.
The only problems I had were with the seat and, oddly enough, the chain. The seat was miserable to sit on. The chain broke after about one month. I have never broken a chain before. I use an SRAM chain now and a WTB Laser V seat which work great.
When I bought the bike, I was surprised to see that it did not have top of the line derailleurs. At this price, I expected to see top quailty components, across the board. Even though I replaced them, I still believe this bike is a great value when considering the total package.
I tested the Sugar 2 and the FSR when I was thinking of upgrading to a dual suspension. To be frank, I did not ride the FSR because of its goofy looks. It looks like something from a science fiction movie. I did ride the Sugar 2 and I almost bought it. Just before I did, I rode the NRS 1 and could not bleieve the difference. The NRS 1 fit me like a glove. Everything seemed just right.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Poto | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frankfordbike.com | | Strengths: | light, sprints and climbs well, fairly comfortable, adjustable suspension, long-ish top tube. | | Weaknesses: | hmmm...slack seat tube angle, could use a longer top tube. | | Similar Products Used: | super-v, superlight, various hardtails... | | Bike Setup: | NRS1 frame with SC92UL, XT/XTR, pythons, etc. | | Bottom Line: | i'm still tuning the bike, and getting used to it.
it seems stable, fast and comfortable. the rear suspension works very well--no bobbing, yet it takes the sting out of a lot of trail chatter. it also climbs well.
it takes some time for me to set up a bike--position and suspension wise. currently have the shock at 125 positive and 50 negative, with the rebound 2.5 turns in. i weigh 140ish and stand 5'8". still experimenting with the rebound: at 2 turns, it rebounds faster, feels a bit plusher, but seems like it may topout a bit quick (but i cant tell if there is any detriment). at 2.5 turns, the rear is simply dead...an interesting feeling.
i would also like to run a shorter stem than the 120mm that i have on it now, but the top tube is a bit short to allow a much shorter one. might try a 115mm, or maybe a 110. the 120 makes the front end a bit slow, but still very fun and manageable in tight singletrack. a 105 feels nearly perfect, but makes the cockpit tight.
in summary: excellent weight and suspension. climbs and descends well, handles stable and nice. great price. also, flexible suspension: you can raise the pressure a bit for smoother trails or racing...or drop the pressure to get a fairly plush feel, using nearly all of the 3.75".
highly recommended! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore (ex-Californian)
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Forest Hills CA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frankford Bikes Mail order | | Strengths: | The suspension works!! Nice Geometry. Just plain looks good (NRS 1). | | Weaknesses: | A bit flexy but that's it. | | Similar Products Used: | FSR enduro, Stumpy M2, Mrazek Boh FX, Prior edition Giant XTC FS (non-NRS), KHS team, FSR comp ground control, ProCorex | | Bike Setup: | Z-2 Atom 80, Shimano discs, AC XTR-splined cranks, 8 speed 9.0 SRAM drivetrain, Koobi saddle, DT swiss/Sun wheels, Time ATACs, Race Face Stem, FSA extreme headset, Kore elite post, and to top it all off - Onza CWA bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | I'm still stuck in the mid 90's bike technology rut. As an 8 speed bike with all the other parts that I KNOW work and have been using for YEARS, this bike rocks!! I may pay a bit more but since I build all of my bikes myself, I end up with exactly what I want.
The rear suspension matches perfectly with the firm set up of the Z-2 in front. The rear is not as plush as the FSR's I've had but it's not supposed to be. It's a nice medium between my hardtails and my FSR. I'm 200 lbs and have the shock at 210/50. Just enough where the rear suspension 'wants' to bob.
Frame flexes a bit under my weight but I've accepted that in all bikes. The rear triangle is a bit more flexy than I'm used to. This bike and my last Giant can really take a beating though. Trust me, I TRIED to destroy my last XTC when the NRS's came out so I could justify a new frame. Didn't happen.
For a top-out suspension design, this is probably the best value. Enjoy the ride!!! And stock pile as much high end 8 speed stuff now - trust me on this one.
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Submitted by
Colby
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | North Star Cyclery | | Strengths: | Suspension works, great ride, bang for the buck | | Weaknesses: | Seat and grips | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 100, Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the money. As previously stated, upgrades will be cheap on this bike to make it comparable to the $3 to $4000 crowd. I've put about 800 miles on it and have not had a single problem, and have not exactly taken great care of it.....I'm not a maintenance junky. The only changes I've made are the seat, to a Terry Fly, and the grips, Ritchey smooth. I weigh-in at about 175 with equipment on and the rear end works great with 210/50 set up. The fork works well also, I agree that it's a bit shakey at times, but this is another easy upgrade ,and one I don't plan to spend money on. I did a lot of shopping and research before buying this bike and now know that it was the right decision. The NRS does everything as-well or better than it's $3000 competitors, and that's really the big story on this bike. Buy one, you won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graeme
a Racer
from Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Green Valley Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Edmonton | | Strengths: | Light weight, excellent suspension | | Weaknesses: | Fragile frame, noisy drivetrain and poor manufacturer support | | Similar Products Used: | Da Vinci Desperado, Kona Chute, Santa Cruz Super 8 | | Bike Setup: | Original equipment with tubeless tires, Hayes disks, RaceFace cranks | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden this bike in all conditions - from snow, to technical forest riding and slickrock in Utah. Except for a noisy chainwheel/chain it performs perfectly - right up until you crash it (or let it fall over on to a rock as I did). Turns out those tubes are VERY thin and the frame doesn't dent - it creases. Combined with a manufacturer that doesn't provide individual frame sections but will only sell a complete frame WITH shock and you are facing a STEEP repair bill. My frame is now replaced by a Santa Cruz Superlight and the parts switched over! It's a shame Giant doesn't support this bike as it's a winner otherwise. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Westwood Cycle | | Strengths: | Bike is light and suspension works as advertised. | | Weaknesses: |
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