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Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Ventura
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Awesome climber. Great all around bike. Can't beat the value of this bike. | | Weaknesses: | Judy fork sucks. Creeks a lot. Shattered the Race Face cranks. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Raineer and other hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 2002 Avid Mechanical discs, Rhino Lite wheels with Hutchinson Alligator tires, and a Marzocchi EXR front shock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike from an LBS after it had been stripped of the wheels, brakes, and seat for $600. So, I put on Rhino Lite wheels (cheap but solid) with Hutchinson Alligator tires (awesome climbers) and a Selle Italia Trans Am seat. I slipped on Avid Mechanicals and I quickly replaced the Judy fork with a Marzocchi EXR fork, since the Judy just couldn't handle my 200 pound body.
I'm an adventure racer, so I mainly use the bike for XC, but I ride it hard when descending (I think that I'm a downhiller at heart).
After about 6 months, the Race Face cranks (big and middle rings) shattered...we're talking three pieces each...while descending. I replaced them and it's been fine since.
The bike has a lot of creeks which seem to come and go, but they're nothing to get worked up about.
Finally, if you're considering purchasing one of these babies, realize that the rear suspension is not going to soak up the hits like a fully active rear suspension frame. You'll feel a lot more of the trail with this system. However, you'll climb faster and more efficiently than your bro on the Specialized Enduro (just ask my riding partner).
I'm dropping the money for a RockShox Pyslo SL U-Turn to once again upgrade the front shock and I'll eventually go tubeless, otherwise, I'm going to ride this beast into the ground. Outstanding XC bike...just not recommended for serious hucking. XC riders should look no further...this is the bike for you. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Happy rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Style, frame was produced with Renault F1 team, tubeless tires, Avid mechanical disc brakes, ... | | Weaknesses: | Paint used, seat, handle bar too long and not so good, ... | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | (Stock)+2002 Rockshox Psylo SL, Shimano XT rear derailleur, Serfas ddvado seat, ... | | Bottom Line: | You can almost do anything with this bike, its a very good all conditions bike even if its a cross country bike only.
A good purchase!
I rated it 4 Flaming Chilis for the stock bike...
with my upgrades I would rate it 5 Falming Chilis!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Norman, NC.
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | great frame/suspension design. climbs extremely well. tubeless tires and avid disc brakes are great. very durable bike. good performer overall. i have enjoyed this bike ever since i bought it and have no plans to buy another soon. | | Weaknesses: | ok...had to replace the wimpy...i mean judy. the bike is noisy....which sounds petty but it is hard to distinguish between "troublesome" sounds and the sounds you can expect to hear due to suspension design and crank. that being said...the bike has held up extremely well. | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher aquilla/ DBR V8 <----- both are sweet bikes. | | Bike Setup: | 03' Duke SL U-turn (great more noise! shock is solid though) SRAM 9.0 drlr and shifters (great upgrade for this bike). thompson elite seatpost, new saddle, monkeylite riser bars, lighter spd's.... | | Bottom Line: | i like the bike even more after having owned it for about a year...you definately get what you pay for when it comes to mtn. bikes. you can feel confident investing in a NRS2, they are a high quality, solid buy. the better i get as a rider, the more i appreciate the bikes performance. you won't outgrow the bikes capabilities as a more experienced rider. the bike is a keeper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sophy Christian Bun
a Weekend Warrior
from Carrollton, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything with jumps, drop-offs and build-ups for catching air | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Don't know yet. I have just purchased the bike used and it will arrive to me in about 1 week. From what i have heard, the bike is going to be great, exspcially for a hardtail lover like me. | | Weaknesses: | I will come back to this another day after i have ridden the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Should be like a hardtail with the full suspension advantage. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, but i will have xt rear derailler, and front to match. Easton E70 carbon straight bar. other upgrades will come once i find some money to do so. | | Bottom Line: | I have to get back to you later about this. the rating i am giving is from what i have heard about the bike and from my test ride of the '02 model that i took recently. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Beverly, MA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gordon Woods, Boxford WLS | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Landry's | | Strengths: | Value: full suspension, disc brake, tubeless, light weight, and well known components. The bike looks great. | | Weaknesses: | I had lots of problem with drive train parts - shifting: Defective Race Face Chain Ring, chain, and front shifter. After replacing all these parts with competent technician I had no problem. | | Bottom Line: | I love disc brake, full suspension, NRS, tubeless, and light weight. I can't image sacroficing any one of the features. I rode another brand with similar features while I was away from the town and I dearly missed my NRS-2. The bike is fast and stable going downhill. I have no problem getting good grip on the road while I peddle uphill even while I was standing up and peddling. NRS really does work! I am not looking for any greatest and lastest bikes for now. I am fully satisified with what I have. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eckhardt C
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape town - South Africa
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Du Toitskloof | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1524.00 | | Purchased At: | Willie Engelbrecht Cycles | | Strengths: | pedals well, light with the best 4" rear travel you can get! | | Weaknesses: | Frame dents easily - Could use a better front shock! | | Similar Products Used: | Gaint Warp $ Rinkon | | Bike Setup: | dmr, truvative cracks and chain devise, azonic , wtb, continental, race-face, mavic, rockshox | | Bottom Line: | I do everything on this bike!
it handles DH, jumps and general freeriding with utterly satisfaction!
Would reccomend front suspension upgrade like a Z1-freeride or dnm-usd120 (Judy's haven't got enough travel & strength) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david shultz
a Weekend Warrior
from salem
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | any thing I can jump, drop,or ride down in OREGON ! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike peddler | | Strengths: | crank, runing gear, handle bars and avid disk brakes. | | Weaknesses: | derailleur hanger and the frame dents easly | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike oct/11/01 it was my fist mountin bike. I swaped the stem and clipless peddles for a Thomson stem and Mosh peddles befor I left the shop. Then I got two KUJOdh tiers, a krve seat,and 02 Marzocchi Dirt jumper with the QR20. I broke my derilleur hager 4 times twice doing weelie drops, once on a landing ramp of a dirt jumping, and one I was dirt jumping and on our way back to the car I road off a curbe and broke the hanger. The last time i broke my derailleur along with the hanger and I hade to buy a Shimano XTR derailleur. The only thig I Could thik of to stop from breking my derailleur was to buy a Bullet Bros. This bike is god for jumping and gret for ripin up some single track. I ride my Bike hard, jump high, and try to do the bigist drop my bike and I can. 8 ft so far. Shes got a cople dent in her but shel take any thin u can thro at her! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CP Coleman
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Cod, MA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any NEMBA Fun Ride | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Andy's in Keene, NH | | Strengths: | Price, components, NRS, Avids, Pythons,Cranks | | Weaknesses: | Rear freewheel, Judy XC, frame flex with big or strong riders, dents easy and paint job loses luster quick | | Similar Products Used: | Sugers, Fuels, Trek Y bikes, | | Bike Setup: | New 2002 Psylo SL, Cross Roc Wheels, XT rear der., loc grips, ATAC pedals, q.r. seat post collar,Pythons or Mosquitos depending on conditions, smaller seat, | | Bottom Line: | The bike is still running great after 18 months of beating the crap out of it all over New England. The Avid mechanicals can not be beat for ease of adjustment, no tools and dial them in anyway you like. The Psylo makes this a great jumping bike. The (what seems) extra air volume in the tires make for soft landings. I just switch of between the Pythons and Mosquito tires and have all my bases covered. Only takes a second to change the tires too. Only real pain is I (195 lbs)can make this bike creak like crazy, stiffer cranks and handlebar might help bigger riders. This bike is fast through rock gardens and flys up hill, no need for a rear lockout on this rig. The Psylo up front makes this bike twice as much fun as it was when I first bought it. Giant rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew Chesnut
a Cross Country Rider
from Antioch,CA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything on Mt. Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Frame rides like a hardtail.Cool paint job.Perfect fit for me. | | Weaknesses: | Grips,saddle,Tubeless setup,Too squishy judy XC. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR,Cannondale super V. | | Bike Setup: | Medium. | | Bottom Line: | The mavic tubeless wheels w/24 15ga.spokes were way too flexy for my 220 lbs,supprise,they didn't spec them for 2002 or 2003.Another supprise,they lasted a year.I am now running 36 spoke mavic 317's with XT disc hubs.I never had a problem with pinch flats but the goats head thorns always do me in.The Hutchinson pythons seemed to attract them even more,plus theis sketchy grip on anything besides hardpack or pavement.Switched to Michelin comp s tubeless after a month and they lasted a little longer.Most of the time i just ran tubes in them.The LX/deore drivetrain wasn't too bad but i switched back to my reliable 8 speed XT gear after 2 weeks.I switched to heavier springs and 15 wt. oil in the judy but couldn't run the 100 mm option,just too flexy,especially the wheels.The saddle never made it out of the shop,switched it for a topo team with ti rails.Otherwise ,the bike fit like it was made just for me,no probs with my rear sid shock or the Avid mechanical discs.The NRS system works as promised.With everything set up to my liking the bike has been very reliable and unless a major sale on Epics or Blurs happens,i'll be happy with this bike for years.Buy this bike,any level,1,2,3,or air,or any year,2000 thru 2003 and you will get a great machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Norman, NC
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | This is a great all around bike and Giant has earned a reputation for loading their bikes up with some pretty nice components. The bike is a dream for riders that don't know a lot of technical stuff (like me) because it is so easy to set up and maintain. All you need to do when you want to adjust your brakes is turn a couple of dials...it really can't be any easier. The rest of the bike? Just add air and go! The bike looks GOOD. | | Weaknesses: | I think the front shock is a good one. I did have to order some firm springs though (I weigh 180lbs) because it was way to plush. I don't really know who it would be firm enough for. I've heard it is for riders who weigh around 145lbs....but damn! I thought jockeys rode horses not mountain bikes! | | Similar Products Used: | sugar2 and enduro | | Bike Setup: | stock except I put some monkeylite ct2 handlebars on and some nicer spd pedals that I had. | | Bottom Line: | If you want a full suspension to ride the kind of trails (singletrack, etc.) that most of us ride you will not be disappointed with this bike. I bought this bike so I could start racing in the local weekly race series and it is a great value-especially now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A joyful rider (2 review)
a
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Same as last time | | Weaknesses: | Same as last time + the rear tire makes a strange noise when you're riding by sitting down??? | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the pedals (DH kinda), and just bought a 2002 RockShox Psylo SL to upgrade my 2001 Judy XC. | | Bottom Line: | Changed the springs in the Psylo's for stronger ones and ohhhhhhh man this bike rules with some kinda DH pedals and the Psylo's. The only thing that im gonna probaly change next season is the tyres they really suck in muddy conditions but on dry conditions they are the best. Surely gonna take a more equilibrated tire that is mor versatile in all conditions.......
The bike was already good, now its better and im gonna make it better next year!!!
5 Flaming monkey for both.....WITH THE UPGRADES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Montague
a Cross Country Rider
from Wasilla, Alaska
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Paramont | | Strengths: | It is a great all around bike light, Good components, and great suspention design. Avid disc brakes, Python tires on Mavic rims. Sweet ride | | Weaknesses: | Race Face crank needs bathed in lock-tite. The seat is just not up to long xc rides. Front judy xc is to soft im a 135lb rider and when I get agressive on the down hills it just does not work. Also I found the rear hanger and lx derailer just to mushy. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first FS I have always rode hard tails | | Bike Setup: | Almost stock with a Rocket 46 T upgrade for more down hill and xc speed. XT rear derailer, Saddle, and am working on a new front fork. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line. If you want a XC bike this is it. I ride everyday rain or shine. It took me 3 weeks before I tuned the suspention in though. After upgrading some things( every bike you buy you will have to!!!) I found it to be the best in its class. If you are new or old to the sport or a weekend warrior looking for a bike that will fill the void, this is it. Be sure to set positive chamber to 10+ body weight and tune from there. I run about 15-20+ for the best ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Huachuca, AZ., USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | none at this time (all are closed due to drought) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles West | | Strengths: | Great brakes
Climbs like a hard tail
Tubeless tires (traction, soaks up more bumps,and pinch flat resistance)
Excellent frame (same as NRS Air)
Frame is light (~5.8 lbs) for FS (granted you can get many hard tails that weight under 3 lbs)
| | Weaknesses: | Tubeless tires (weight)
Horrible stock saddle (traded mine for a Specialized Body Geometry that's only marginally better)
Fr. suspension set up too soft (work with your Shop to setup for your weight and style)
Fork is heavy at 4.3 lbs. ( I heard that upgrading to Englunds Total Air cartridges will lose .75 lbs by itself, and they make the ride much more matched to the SID rear shock) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyl (don't like headshock)
Specialized Rockhopper FSR (plush but cramped)
Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ (seemed ok but I heard it skips gears) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for saddle | | Bottom Line: | Best deal for the $
Handles like it's on rails
Setup of suspension is very important
Buy this if you want an excellent FS cross country racer.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A joyful rider
a
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -Avid mechanical disk brakes
-Giant frame
-Tubeless tires
-Rear suspension (not bad)
| | Weaknesses: | -Front suspension
-Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for the pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Overall it's a wonderful mountain bike. I think the weight is not bad (actually pretty good) and the avid's brakes are one of the best in it's category. The front suspension (Rockshox Judy XC) is not very good cause it weights too much, isnt really smooth, and the look doesnt help. I paid the bike 2200$ without the taxes in canadian dollars and i think it is a questionable price (maybe 2000$ would have been ok). This winter im gonna change the Hutchinson Python tires to Michelin tubeless ones cause the Hutchinson tubelesses get used very easely if you do a lot of climbing. I also think that im gonna change the Judy XC to a Fox shox or a better Rockshox fork. But if you purchase this bike you wont be disapointed unless youre really not easy to convince. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff McClung
a Cross Country Rider
from Denton, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lake Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike -O- Rama Denton, Tx | | Strengths: | The NRS system works as advertised. Great bike for the money. Looks as good(Metalic red paint)as it rides(NRS system that really works). Tubless tires and disc brakes a good starting point for building up the bike to match higher end bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Generic hubs on a 1400 dollar bike? The Judy forks were too plush for me and I am a light rider, only 150 lbs. Koski seat has got to go. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 1, Specialised Stumpjumper. | | Bike Setup: | Gutted the Judys and replaced the springs with EKO sports air cartriges. I love em, and it allows me to fully adjust both front so the front doesn't bob on the climbs. I also swapped the rear derailerand casset for XTR components. Changed to Michelin XLS tubeless tires. Put on a Raceface Next LP crankset and Isis bottom bracket. Went with Easton Monkey Lite Carbon bars and carbon seatpost and shorter EA-50 stem. A Selle-Italia Diablo seat to replace the rock hard Koski. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is totally awsome!!! After one year of owning it I have not had one single problem with it mechinicly. I don't know what all these guys are complaining about. The tubeless system has been a god send for me, I have not had one flat in a whole year and I ride in Texas where there are cactus and sharp rocks. The suspension is superb once you get it dialed in. It is important that you get your positve air chamber set to 10+ over your own weight and get your rebound set properly. This bike is like a Ford Mustang, an affordable platform that is ripe for upgrades. That was part of the fun for me, building the bike up with the components that I wanted. At 1400 dollars why not? Most companies won't even sell you a frame for $1400. If you can find one of the 2001 models used, buy it!(especially from one of these guys who are complaining about it, they probably never figured out how to set it up) With some high end components this bike can compete with any thing on the market, and probably at a lower price once you sell the components you take off. This is a great bike stock, but with a few upgrades it can be awsome. This is a good bike for anyone from an entry level rider to a hard core xc warrior. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Roberts
a Cross Country Rider
from corvallis,oregon,linn
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | loop and let down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | bike and hike | | Strengths: | Its a great xc frame it really tears it up on tight single track.You would be hard pressed to find a bike that out rips this one for the price.I ride in oregon so disc brakes were a must have for me and the avid mechanicals have more than sufficint wet stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | As great as this bike is it still has many annoyances.For example the left crank arm that would not stay tightened until i bathed the bolt in loctite. And the left chainstay that inherently absorbs a brutal beating from the chain especially while bombing a hill.I also must say that if you ride in the mud often do not use the hutchison pythons they are tractionless.Since we are on the subject of tires i will go ahead and tell you what i think of the tubeless set up KRAP-E .In my last race i spent more time blowing my tires back up than actually racing im sorry but i will not sacrifice 15 minutes of racing time for less rolling resistance. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized stumpjumper, gary fisher paragon | | Bike Setup: | I replaced the hutchinson pythons with kendra tires
i replaced the grips
i also put on pedals that were functional in mud(egg beaters) I also put on a duke xc fork | | Bottom Line: | I would highly suggest that you stick with the recomended pressures for the front and rear shock especially the rear
.Softening the rear shock is somewhere you do not want to go with this bike.It is beautifull for the person who is used to riding hard tails because it has a hardtail feel when set up correctly but will still absorb the semi big hits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Roberts
a Cross Country Rider
from corvallis,oregon,linn
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | loop and let down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | bike and hike | | Strengths: | Its a great xc frame it really tears it up on tight single track.You would be hard pressed to find a bike that out rips this one for the price.I ride in oregon so disc brakes were a must have for me and the avid mechanicals have more than sufficint wet stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | As great as this bike is it still has many annoyances.For example the left crank arm that would not stay tightened until i bathed the bolt in loctite. And the left chainstay that inherently absorbs a brutal beating from the chain especially while bombing a hill.I also must say that if you ride in the mud often do not use the hutchison pythons they are tractionless.Since we are on the subject of tires i will go ahead and tell you what i think of the tubeless set up KRAP-E .In my last race i spent more time blowing my tires back up than actually racing im sorry but i will not sacrifice 15 minutes of racing time for less rolling resistance. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized stumpjumper, gary fisher paragon | | Bike Setup: | I replaced the hutchinson pythons with kendra tires
i replaced the grips
i also put on pedals that were functional in mud(egg beaters) I also put on a duke xc fork | | Bottom Line: | I would highly suggest that you stick with the recomended pressures for the front and rear shock especially the rear
.Softening the rear shock is somewhere you do not want to go with this bike.It is beautifull for the person who is used to riding hard tails because it has a hardtail feel when set up correctly but will still absorb the semi big hits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ilakano
a Cross Country Rider
from walnut creek,ca
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycle | | Strengths: | Components are bery bery good. The Avid brakes work well and are easy to adjust. The SID rear shock was easy to dial in, the bike came with tubeless Hutchinsons that work great in my area, Like the Raceface seatpost,stem and crankset. The price included taxes and a Duke fork. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano 515 pedals aren't the greatest, its a little heavy and the handlebars are too wide. None of these things are a big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried Kona ManoMano, Sugar 3 and 3+ and I-Drive. | | Bike Setup: | Changed front fork to a Duke, changed seat to a Selle Italia Gelflight and cut down the fork an inch on each side. | | Bottom Line: | A very good bike for the money. I saved a lot of cash buying the 2001 model. The 2002 has the Black shock which is okay and I don't think its as good as the Duke. Its a little heavy but most of that can be fixed by switching to a carbon bar and possible a different crankset. It rides great and I'm really happy with it. If my opinion changes, I'll post it here later. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CAHLHEIM
a Weekend Warrior
from St.Charles, MO.
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Castlewood State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | Design
Weight
Content
Price | | Weaknesses: | Fork could be better
Integrated headset
Brick of a seat. (personal preference)
No lockout on the rear SID XC
| | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FS | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock
Upgraded to XT front and rear derailleures, XT shifters, stubby bar ends, & Bontrager saddle.
| | Bottom Line: | So far this bike is a dream, though I wish the forks were air adjustable like the rear shock. A rear lockout feature would be nice also, but for the price this thing cant be beat. You owe it to yourself to go and demo one soon. XT components were upgraded by the shop before the bike left, a very wise and resonably priced move in my opinion. This bad boy get five flames across the board! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Beverly, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Willdowdale Farm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Landry's | | Strengths: | The strength of this bike is NRS, weight for its price (28 lbs. vs. 31 lbs. of others), and components (tubeless, disk brake, gear, seat post ... etc). I think it is best value for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Felt front Judy XC was bit squishy. I am 175 lbs. with small frame size. The shock should be changed to red colored springs for both sides according to Rock Shox. I thought mix and match brand of gear componentry was to my surprised; Rear der is LX, fron Der is non-LX, and crank is Raceface. I had a defective front cranks and had to change to Shimano LX crank. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 500 | | Bottom Line: | Best valued bike for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Beesley
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Blowhard Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Taylor's Bikes | | Strengths: | I have riden this bike in Moab, Brian Head, Fruita, and all over the Wasatch Front in Utah, and it totally lives up to its billing: a fantastic cross country climber and desender! The only riders who may not care for this bike would be downhillers or the free rider types who send their time looking for things to hurtle themselves off. This bike handles small (8"-1 1/2') to medium size drops 1 1/2- 3') like a champ. If your game is climbing what you bomb, this bike is for you! | | Weaknesses: | The Judy XC has to be upgraded, however, you can dramatically improve its rebound function by draining out the current oil (5 weight oil) and replacing it with 10 to 15 weight oil; I'm a 190-95 lbs rider myself, and I found doing this really helped slow the rebound down when going fast over rough sections. I convinced two of my friends to buy the bike, and they love it, and they also love the tubeless tires, but I have to admit right now, I have been riding with tubes in my tires ever since I broke a seal on the Behind the Rocks Trail in Moab. I could be just me, but I found I get just as many flats with tubeless as I did before tubeless, and lets face it, patching a tubeless tire is a hassle. I plan on dumping my tubeless rims as I destroy them. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar' and Fuel's (they still Bob and have less travel...) | | Bike Setup: | Went Sram on shifters and rear derailler (Sram derailler won't hit the rear linkage in any gear ratio). I'm 5' 11"- 6' so I got the large frame, however, I felt a little to stretched out, but after shortening the stem, but keeping about the same rise, everying is dialed now. When I change my rims out, I will probably opt for side-pull brakes, which I can do now because I had the shop put the NRS 3 rear linkage on (a good set on V's work work just as well as the Avids, however, the mechanicals rule in wet stuff, but I won't ride my bike if it's raining or quagmire, so I find the Avids overkill, and I would prefer to save some weight. Dumping the Judy, Avids, and rims this year is really going to liten things up for me this year, not to mention trying to loose 10 lbs myself. Oh yah, I put Time pedals on from the get-go. | | Bottom Line: | Cross country boys and girls who like to go fast down whatever they climb, here's your bike! Remember, it's the frame your buying; you can always upgrade the conponets to whatever you prefer, but if you can't upgrade your frame without getting a new rig. Chair lift and through-me-off-a-cliff types, this aint your bike, but for the rest of us hard-core-cross-country-but-we-don't-race-for-living-types, oh yah baby, this bike rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Cornwell
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Galbraith Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Jack's | | Strengths: | NRS system, brakes, tubeless tires | | Weaknesses: | forks | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Schwinn Rocket Disc 88 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great value. NRS system works as advertised, but I set it up slightly softer than recommended. Front shocks are weak. Mechanical disc brakes work great-I can see no advantage for hydrolic brakes. I like the tubeless tires, haven't had any flats, you have to pump them up about once a week. This is the best bike available for the price range. This is not a big hit bike, but you can go fast over rough terrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kennbenny667
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Lawn IL
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Palos F.P. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles n Sports, Worth IL | | Strengths: | Excellent full suspension design! Not too plush, the perfect midwest trailbike. Didn't expect such great brakes for a lower end full suspension bike! In a nutshell if you have 1,600 bucks and don't ride like a gorilla, this is a great bike for you. | | Weaknesses: | Sub-par fork, Seats a tad stiff but it's all a personal thing I guess. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive 2.0, Specialized/Intense FS, Schwinn Rocket 88 (old and new designs), Moots YBBAIR | | Bike Setup: | pretty stock, fork will be replaced with an 02 higher end Psylo. Selle Italia seat. Flat pedals. Race Face ISIS Drive Next LP Cranks and BB. | | Bottom Line: | I am not dissapointed in the performance of this bike. It soaks up the big bumps with ease as well as the small ones. Avid Disks are amazing: No bleeding or constant service. Fork should be better, but it is easily replacable. I'm 225 pounds, so maybe I'm just too fat for it. No major problems with the tubeless yet, although I do have to keep a closer eye on the pressure. LX is reliable and works fine for my riding style. I don't race, so weight is not an issue. Feel free to drop me an email if you have any questions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart
a Weekend Warrior
from Orem, UT
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Taylor's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Very light, great features for the money, very sturdy | | Weaknesses: | Front forks not strong enough for my weight (190#) Will need to upgrade this winter for next year. Needs split seat for back-to-back riding days. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, K2 Evo, GT I-Drive | | Bike Setup: | Small frame | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. I did need to upgrade the seat to a Serfas and put on Specialized handgrips. Very solid feeling bike. Next bike will be a Giant NRS as well.
If you are hitting some hard uphills combined with the hits of the rocky double track a couple times a month, this is the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bleeder
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, Florida
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Razorback | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Champion Cycling | | Strengths: | (+) Exceptional Versatility. Simply amazing value for the money.
(+) Sticks like glue on the climbs.
(+) The "No Bob" NRS rear suspension actually works.
(+) Very stable rear suspension. NOTE: This bike is NOT meant for the North Shore...buy a Kona or Karpiel instead.
(+) Overall excellent component spec. The Avid Mechanical brakes are fantastic. | | Weaknesses: | (-) Stock seat is like riding on a brick.
(-) The Judy XC front fork has no rebound dampening. ECK!
(-) Flats easily...WELCOME TO TUBELESS!!!
(-) Shimano M-515 pedals are fragile.
(=) Very thin Tubeset. Keeps weight down, though.
(=) Super-wide handlebars...nothing a good hacksaw couldn't take care of, though!
(=) Jury's still out on the integrated headset. We'll see. | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to list! | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC NRS 2---->Almost Stock. See recommended changes below... | | Bottom Line: | If you are a cross-country warrior who loves fast singletrack, this is one of the best full-suspension bikes for the money. The NRS "No Bob" system works exactly as advertised and when set up properly, is as plush and as stable as any. Damn, this bike is fun! The NRS 1 was awarded the best bike of the year award by Mountain Bike Magazine this year and I can see why. The bike's handling characteristics are truly confidence-inspiring. Knock a half-inch off each side of the handlebars, change pedals, add a Marzocchi Z1 or Manitou SXR for plush, and you've got a bike others will drool over!
Complaints? Sure there are a few, but most come from components that had to be spec'ed because of the pricepoint Giant wanted for this bike. The Judy XC, for instance, is somewhat noisy and feels like a pogo stick since it has no rebound dampening adjustment when matched to the rear suspension...bad choice I thought, but considering the fork's price, durability, plush feel, stiffness, and ease of maintenance, I could see why it's on a $1400 bike. Not a bad choice then. Some complain about the Deore components and bottom bracket, but again, it's a great FULL-SUSPENSION bike with Avid disk brakes, tough Raceface components and a great XC design for under $1400 bucks. Other problems? The seat is a brick and the pedals are less than stellar, but each can be easily changed, possible for free, at purchase. I'm also not fond of tubeless tires as I don't feel that the benefits outweight the risks involved...lower air volume and decreased pinch flats (vs) a substantial increase in weight from the rims/hubs, and relative ease of flats from punctures, of which 75% are from. One can learn to compensate for the tread design of these tubeless Pythons on this bike, but try putting an innertube in once you've flatted (and you will!) when your 10 miles into the trail with these tires and see how you fare with the changeout! Unless you have three hands, your usual 2-3 minute change becomes a 15 minute ordeal in frustration. You'll keep tubes in from there on out! OK, I'm nit-picking, but the tubeset is super-thin (hit it with your knuckle and listen to that hollow sound) as is the paint as well. One quick fall dented my top tube pretty badly and there are already multiple dings and chips from small rocks thrown up on the descents already, but I can live with that.
This bike has exceptional versatility, stability, and is a blast to ride! An amazing value for the money. Taking everything into account, you simply CAN NOT go wrong by buying this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Stockton, UK
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | any singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | bonthrone bikes | | Strengths: | NRS does excactly what it's supposed to do. Climbs like a hard tail, but takes the sting out of the trail, descends well too. Adjustable rear suspension settings. | | Weaknesses: | mine was a UK spec bike so came with grip shifters and sram mechs, changed for shimano. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Alpine Trail | | Bike Setup: | xtr rear, xt front, xt shifters, thompson stem and seatpost, easton CT2 riser bar, Z2 race, hope mini discs, hope hubs | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a bike that climbed better than my Marin, but did not lose out else where. I considered a hardtail but after riding an XTC was converted. Not quite as plush on rough trails as the Marin, but leaves it for dead on the climbs. Lighter bike too, accelerates well. A fine xc ride with enough travel to soak up the rough stuff. UK spec a little different to above, judy sl, sram 7 gripshift, giant hydro discs (hope closed 2 licensed to Giant, so I am told), race face prodigy stem, chainset | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem,OR,USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mckenzie River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1349.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike-N-Hike | | Strengths: | |
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