| |
Submitted by
joel marlenty
a Downhiller
from usa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | suncoast | | Strengths: | everything, just needs a easier back shock to adjust. and when you jump or drop, it has a very solid rebound.. so you dont sink and bottom out, or you dont fling back up and bounce. | | Weaknesses: | bottoms out on 10 foot drops, im 120 pounds, thats it. | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike!! looks great, for its weight, it is a very easy bike to push around. awesome bike even when fully stock. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Downhiller
from ellington, ct
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Case Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bloomfield Bike in 2001 | | Strengths: | until this year - highly reliable | | Weaknesses: | Rear Shock really hard to set | | Bike Setup: | Post broke first year - the one they replaced with is great. Just changed saddle to Azonic love seat - it is mint. | | Bottom Line: | until this year bike has been awesome - but repairs this year are killing me.
Had to replace the shock. Broke the frame in half yesterday. need to replace the pedals - the platform broke off both. The Hanger went. Front shocks are leaking.
For riding the way I did for the last 4 years - the bike owes me nothing - but its just wierd that EVERYTHING went over the course of 3 months. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | For frame and shock only | | Strengths: | THIS IS FOR A 2002 AC TEAM FRAMESET WITH 2004 Manitou Swinger 4way coil shock.
Weight for travel. Solidness over rough stuff. Kickass paint job. | | Weaknesses: | Ugly asymetric chainstays. And Rear heaviness, compared to the front the back end weighs a tonne. Bit of brake Jack. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Hecklar, Titus Switchblade, Marin Wolf Ridge, Specialised Enduro. | | Bike Setup: | Psylo Race's, Hope stuff all round, and a pair of M4's for stopping, bit of race face in there too. | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS FOR A 2002 AC TEAM FRAMESET WITH 2004 Manitou Swinger 4way coil shock.
^^^^To make that clear.^^^^
Rides well for weight, as I said a bit of brake jack but then thats expected (not as bad as the enduro I used to own), also makes quite a heavy back end (thats with a Hope Bulb on a 317Disc rim) but all up weighs around the 32lb mark (thats with 2.6" Nokian gazzaloddi tyres, it would weigh more like 29lb with some sensable trail tyres on).
The Manitou shock makes it soo much more ridable with the 4way adjustability and the SPV valve. I either run it with a high pressure in the SPV chamber and high volume, for general trail riding, as it makes it pedal very well, but lacks small bump responce and does not bottom out. And for frequent DH runs I drop out 40psi from the chamber and lock it right down to max bottom out resistance, which makes it very supple, and very responsive but no use for climbing.
Bottom Line (seriously) I like, have riden a fair few 5-6" rigs and this I like, (mainly the paint job).
I give it 5smoking Chillis for value (I paid £200 for a used one, they were only £900 new back in the day).
And 4Smoking Chillis overall, as the back end does require some set up for different things.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Wales UK
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Strong, adjustable and reasonable weight | | Weaknesses: | Interupted seattube | | Similar Products Used: | i-drive | | Bike Setup: | AC-1 frame, Psylo SL's, Hope M4 Mono's, Raceface Turbines, XM519's on XT hubs, 850lb eibach spring, controltech stem and blackspire triple rings. | | Bottom Line: | When I decided to change frames I wanted one bike to do all reasonably well rather than purchasing two or more bikes. Having ridden it a few times I feel the AC-1 specced with mostly XC parts does the job admirably and exceeds my expectations in certain areas.
I've set the spring rate to my weight in 6inch mode as I thought that I would just leave the bike in this setting. How wrong I could have been. When moved to the 4 inch setting the suspension stiffens up so much that it feels like a short 2 inch travel bike and as the rear end is so stiff laterally the bike accellerates and climbs far better than I expected. It feels like a 26lb softail when climbing. The little give there is just right to give you the extra traction of a susser but there is no noticable bob at all.
I usually ride with a mixed group of riders, XC whippets, trail riders and newcomers of various fitness levels, and whilst never first to the top, I'm a lot closer on the Giant than I was on my GT.
At the top I put it into the 6 in setting (20 secs) and then blast down the hill. All the posts on here more than cover the DH abilities of this bike.
On road is also reasonably fast, I close the rebound damping on the back and lock out the front. After the bike sags, it feels just like a hardtail.
If your solely into one mountain bike discapline then there are better bikes around, however, as an allaround bike I can't fault the AC-1 and for the price it's fantastic. I've managed to build mine up with high end parts for around £1000, if I was in the states it would probably cost the same in dollars.
All in all I'm delighted. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cnt._Huckula
a Downhiller
from NB
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Rockwood Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Works | | Strengths: | -Pedals decently
-flows through rolly terain,pumps well
-a capable climber | | Weaknesses: | -Eats derailures for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
-Tends to bob if you dont conciously tame it
-A little weak for hucks, and big drops | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX970, Da Bomb Mindbomb, Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | Jr. T, Ryno lites, Avid mech. up front, Deore mech. in the rear, Truvativ hussefelt cranks, xt/lx group | | Bottom Line: | I paid for this frameset to replace the lifetime warentied frame i previously owned, so this review can only aply to the frameset.
I think this bike finds it self on a very fine line, does it apeal to the free rider or is it the xc rider looking for a softer rear end. I would have to contend it be the later.
For me, a 190lbs freerider i found the bike to be a rocket ship through a rough single track or buttery off of 5 footers. The frame did have noticable flex on skinies when body english was involved.
I bent or broke the bolt holding the top end of the shock more then once, and managed to blow a weld on the chainstey. Derailures and dropouts where getting to be a bi-weekly purchase. All of this has led me to beleive there just isn't enough of a bike there for the burlier of freeriders.
However this bike would be an excellent purchase for the xc rider looking to move up to a softer ride, or mabe a freeriders cross country.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jos baldewijns
a Cross Country Rider
from antwerp, belgium
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | el signor,lake garda,italy | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | its all in the name "All Conditions"
a very versatile bike
good climb, smooth going down | | Weaknesses: | what every owner says: the damn seatpost ( for 2004 giant solved this problem ) | | Similar Products Used: | also own an nrs air and a cube ams, but those are xc and enduro | | Bike Setup: | bought as a frame set, marzo Z1 FR QR20,north shore DH cranks,diabolus stem and bar, XT 205mm brakes,DEEMAX wheels | | Bottom Line: | this is a freeride light bike, with 16 kilos,a machine that climbs ,relatively,like a goat. very good for the work in the alps or at lake garda, italy.
altough, i doubt he could handle the really heavy (downhill)stuff.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Kellogg
a Downhiller
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Golden Gate Canyon State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Westside Cycling and Fitness | | Strengths: | Pretty good stock set-up | | Weaknesses: | Grips, seat, post, stem; I don't understand why Giant didn't put more travel on this bike (they have gone to more travel on the '04 model) | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain RM7; Rocky Mountain Switch | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Hammer stem; Azonic Love Seat; Azonic A-frame platform pedals; Stan's tubeless conversion (this is a GREAT product); Lizard Skins chainstay guard; Marzocchi '03 Super T's; SGF Components 7" rocker arms (SGF will replace these if you break them and they guarantee that the 7" of travel is the maximum amount you can get without bottoming-out, unlike the BETD 7.5" rocker arms which will bottom-out on the seat clamp. Go to SGFcomponents.com to get them); Odi lock-on grips
| | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike to start out with. It handles well. The Hayes hydraulic brakes were my first experience with hydraulic brakes. They are good brakes. Overall, the bike performs well stock. It climbs like a mule despite the weight (that is until I put on the extra travel). You really can't go wrong with this bike unless you are looking to do some serious corss-country or are a hard-core downhiller/freerider who does 15' + drops. I, at 185 lb. found that I bottomed-out on 7' drops before I decided I needed more travel. I've yet to ride this bike on a professional downhill course, however, I have ridden some pretty serious stuff and it is a really plush ride. Bottom line if you are someone who is really hard on sh*t and breaks stuff, this is a great bike to start out with. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Shiels
a Weekend Warrior
from Kamloops
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything and everything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | fun stuff | | Strengths: | way stronger than the Warp ds3 i broke. got the frame under warranty and there is pretty much nothing stock on the bike, plush ride good shock adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | a bit too much chain slap but i will probably get some kind of guide down the road, otherwise perfect. | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Giant warp ds3 | | Bike Setup: | 04 Marzocchi Drop Off II, Sun Rims Doubletracks, Stout 2.6 on front, Wtb Motoraptor 2.4 on rear, deore derailers, stx shifters,Avid Discs 8" with avid levers,yeti lock on grips, axiom seatpost with NRG saddle. only thing that remains from my warp is the sh%^@y cranks and the stem and bar, but not for long. | | Bottom Line: | great bike for any conditions, i havn't ridden much but it seems perfect for me, i might get an 850 spring for the pro delux, i'm a little on the heavy side at 6'4, 225. I would reconmend that if you have a warp that may be broken, trade it in for the Ac. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Brant
a Downhiller
from Canmore,ALberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebound Cycle(prodeal) | | Strengths: | Awesome all round bike thats great for free riding, I would not use for DH racing. | | Weaknesses: | not very happy with the Hayes Comps. Saddle a little uncomfortable. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX DH, MCM 990 | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock. New paint job and custom decals. 888 up frontwhich makes the bike a little raked. Hope to get Hope Brakes Mono 4. LOve my Michelin tyres(had them siped for better traction) 2.8 up front and 2.5 in rear. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great all round bike that is not afraid to go big.
I have raced at the pro level, but after I had quit Idid not want something that was as heavy. I ride mostly free ride now and I ride hard. Have put a couple a days up at Whistler and the bike took everything I threw at it. This past summer I had a Super T 03, now I have upgraded to 888's
Can't wait to ride those next year. I know Giant says they don't warrenty these bike if you put A Dc fork on it but oh well. If they don't I'll try another bike from a diff. company and they'll lose my business.
But this BIKE rocks and I hope it lasts.
Oh ya would also like to get BETD rear suspension plates to upgrade to 7" in the rear. I'd like 8" in the rear though(stop laughing)
Later | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Miramichi NB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cregan's Gluch @ French Fort Cove | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Incline Sports | | Strengths: | Strong frame, Shiver forks, Hayes Discs brakes, Race Face BB and DH cranks, Shimano Xtr / Xt / Lx comps. Titec components. Excellent controll. Easy to setup. Quick change rear travel. | | Weaknesses: | Rock Shocks Pro Deluxe. Leaked after the 2nd ride. Returned for service and new seals installed. Service dept said a lot of the 2002's with the AC 1. New seal kit will last much longer. Been out on 2 trail rides since and they are working great. I hope they hold out. | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Giant Rainer. Had 150 miles on it and traded it on the AC 1. | | Bike Setup: | Wellgo's WPD M9 clipless pedals, Maxxis 2.35s, Fox 850lb Spring and 130mm stiff front springs. Rear travel set to 5.15" | | Bottom Line: | WOW!!! This bike rocks. It can really improve your skills and is so stable at going downhill you have to be carefull not to over do it. This bike is so forgiving at going fast that it gives you more confidence in all XC rides. I'm able to go faster and stay out longer on all trail sections compared to the Giant Rainer hardtail. I highly recommend this bike to any of the bigger guys out there who think they can't find or get a full suspension trail bike that can handle the extra weight. If you think your stuck to riding only hardtails because of your weight then this bike is for you. This bike can handle the roughest trails, climbs and downhills with such ease that you'll understand why full suspension is so much fun. I truly admire the Giant AC 1. Bravo Giant, Bravo | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan cocharo
a Downhiller
from colorado
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | anglefire downhill | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | campus cycles | | Strengths: | it is a great mountain x bike and it has a good suspension design, it has pretty good components on it and it is affordable. | | Weaknesses: | i do not like the shiver on fork | | Bike Setup: | all stock setup | | Bottom Line: | it is a good mountain x bike and is a pretty good price. i would buy one if i was into mountain x. it was my friends but i rode it a little bit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trev
a Weekend Warrior
from Fukuoka, Japan
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mount Takasu, Kyushu, Japan | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Hong Kong | | Strengths: | Very versatile, reasonably light, climbs well for a freerider, good component selection. The travel adjustment on the rear suspension is useful, but not really essential. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of seatpost adjustment, crappy stem, tyres. Seat should be outlawed under the Geneva Convention. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit, Specialized FSR, Trek VRX400, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Sold the Shiver to a mate and put in an RS Psylo for the adjustability. Changed the creaky little stem for a three bolt job, biffed the seat. Fitted a telescopic seatpost. Swapped to 6" brakes and XC wheels. Biffed the tyres and fitted WTB Motoraptors. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent all round bike. I really liked the Shivers, but they were kinda heavy. I'm more of a rough trail rider than a freerider, so this bike was overbuilt for what I do. I did a deal with a mate and swapped forks, brakes, and wheels, plus a nice pile of cash. That chopped the weight down to under 30 pounds, mostly from the wheels and tyres. Much faster on XC stuff, and still descends ok. On long climbs it's pretty reasonable for what it is. Not an XC racer, but handles any terrain very competently. My mate's Big Hit descends much better, mostly due to tyres and forks, but the Specialized rear suspension is better. The 8" brakes were fantastic, but had to swap them with the fork (would have had to buy a bunch of adapters to get everything to fit otherwise). I now have 6" Hayes, which are more than adequate for what I do.
The lack of saddle height adjustment is a big problem. I made a telescopic seatpost which gives about 6 inches adjustment. Norco sell telescopic seatposts, so I'd highly recommend getting one.
The saddle is up there with the most uncomfortable things I've ever tried.
In the 4.5 inch travel setting I don't really notice much bob, except in the big ring. The 6 inch setting is much softer, and easier on rough terrain. It's well worth spending some time adjusting the damping and trying different suspension setups. On rough climbs out of the saddle, the grip is pretty good.
The stock tyres were simply horrible on anything except dry hardpack. Very heavy to spin up on the road or flat singletrack, and lacked grip. I'm going to try a few different tyres, but the Motoraptors were a big improvement.
As a versatile all round fun bike, I highly recommend this. Not a DH bike, not an XC bike, but handles everything very competently. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Another follow-up:
The AC may be a good freeride bike, but it's no downhill rig. The frame is too lightweight, needs several more pounds of aluminum if you really want to thrash it. Recently dumped the Shiver for a '03 Super-T, talk about a huge improvement. Climbing sucks now (can't keep the front wheel on the ground), but for everything else it is truly awesome. Considering a Chris King Steel-Set to beef up the head tube, concerned the the drops and high-speed across rough terrain that the Super-T allows will split or egg out the head tube. Still very happy with the bike, but starting to wonder if I should have gone with something beefier instead of trying to keep this one together. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DARNICKLE
a Cross Country Rider
from EMERYVILLE, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | mammoth | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist | | Strengths: | This bike is BEEFIE and gives a sense that it and its rider are indestructable. Great component mix! Swopped out the seat post to Easton, Stem to Azonic Shorty, Hubs to Profile 20mm (front and back), pedals to ATAC and clamp on grips. Oh yeah, I swopped the rear shock for an SID air (better for cross country riding). The adjustable rear travel is great and easy to change (would be better with quick release). I wanted a bike that I could use as a trail bike and some moderate downhilling - this is it (GREAT PRICE). | | Weaknesses: | VERY HEAVY! I realize that it needs to be to take the big hits, but is there a "light" big hit bike out there. Not fun going up hill, but coming down is a rocket ride.
Creak coming from the rear swingarms. I found out that one of the spacers under the bearings wasnt set properly. Once set properly, bike is quiet as can be, but it took me forever to find the creak. | | Similar Products Used: | Raven, Scwhinn s-10, Tomac titanium. | | Bike Setup: | azonic stem, race face cranks (set with chainguard), atac pedals, hell bent handlebars. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, great price!!! Compromise is weight, but is probably one of the best huckster options out there right now. I would recommend it for heavy riders or moderate downhillers. Light riders should go with something a little lighter if you can. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks CA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Weaknesses: | Wish the seatpost adjustment had more range (interrupted seat tube), can't drop it as low as I'd like and still keep the seatpost long enough for full extension when climbing. | | Bottom Line: | This is another follow up: don't try to eliminate the shim in the seatpost, you'll barely be able to adjust the seat up and down. Looks like the shim is there to help the seatpost miss the first part of the interrupted seat tube, take it out and you lose at least an inch of the mere two inches or so there is to begin with.
Running a 50mm Azonic Shorty stem (the Titec Big Al started creaking) and Azonic A-Frame pedals now, working great.
Love the Shiver.
The coil in the Rock Shox Pro Delux is rubbing on the shock body, I only weigh 160 so it's not like I'm overloading it. I did have to max out the preload to get the recommended sag though, so maybe it is too soft at the 6" setting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Shiver fork, ride quality, handling (weight distribution and geometry), adjustable rear suspension, tough build on frame, hayes brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost & shim | | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bike Setup: | Stock - so far. A new seatpost isn't far away. | | Bottom Line: | My first duallie, after much messing about and waiting... This bike does everything it should exceptionally. Descending and braking are great. Climbing is good - lockout on fork helps a lot. Weight is the significant factor when the terrain gets steeper. Climbing traction is massive and helps in negotiating technical stuff. Very plush on jumps and controllable in the air - probably due to well matched suspension components and weight distribution between the wheels. Great balance on bike between predictable handling and stability. Might be slightly slow in steering (copared to a hardtailXC), but with the increase in speed, this is not a bad thing. At slower speeds, moving forward over fork works well. The brakes are very well modulated and predictable. The seatpost is the weak link here. On a Medium (18") frame, I have a fair bit of post hanging out of the frame (I am 6') - that is a big lever. The shim only goes so far into the frame and the rest of the post never makes contact with the tubing. This seems to me like a recipie for bending/cracking the seatpost or the tube. Not a hard thing to fix though - get the right diameter post!
The ride on the bike is very easy to get used to. The usability of this bike is huge - there is (pretty much) nothing it cannot do. The AC1 would suit anyone who is serious about challenging terrain and having maximum fun. A change of tyres is all you need for a great all-day-ride. This is not a race bike (either XC or DH) but you could have a hell of a lot of fun trying! Thanks to Chris (and Elenor) in Gladstone for the help! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Almost everything, awesome. Lightweight for what it is. | | Weaknesses: | Didn't trust the Titec seatpost after reading some reviews, replaced it with a full diameter Synchros. Rear derailleur needed adjustment after three months of riding, probably just cable stretch. Bent derailleur hanger somehow, probably skipped it off a rock. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Continental Vertical Pros and Synchros seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up report, had it for 3 months now. Becoming more nimble the more I ride it (3 mos), starting to increase the rear compression adjustment on the downhills for more precision at speed. It's a damn rocket, I find myself gunning for the rocky sections instead of steering around them. Could be the death of me yet, adding a new piece of body armor about once a month...can see BETD plates and a full motorcross helmet in the not so distant future. Climbs extremely well with the Shiver locked out and the rear compression adjustment maxed out (rebound left on light setting, I'm 160 lbs). I drool just thinking about riding it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher Van Hulsentop
a Downhiller
from Townsville, QLD, AUS
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oceania | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Tonys bikes | | Strengths: | First off, i brought the frame only so i am going to concentrate on the frame, not the parts.
--> Great Travel Adjustability
--> Nice Rear Shock (A vanilla RC with a different label)
--> Looks
--> Gusseted like mad
--> Great geometry
--> Little bob when sitting down
--> Looks
--> Has chainguide mounts | | Weaknesses: | The only one i can think of is that it is an alloy frame, a cromoloy one would be nicer, but considering what this bike is ment for it wouldn't be appropriate | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first duallie, but as i work at a bike shop i have tested many | | Bike Setup: | D521 Rims, Manitou Xvert T fork (intend to upgrade to 03 Boxxer Race, Hussefelt 2 Guide, XT Levers and Shifter, Deore Hollowtech Crank, Deore derailler and hubs, Hayes CD Rear, XT V-Brake front, Azonic Fusion Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike feels very nice, rear shock feels as plush as some 8" travel bikes, while i am yet to bottom it out (it has taken a 7 foot drop onto flat concrete with ease). Nothing on the trails slows this bike down it will keep going no matter what you throw at. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Downhiller
from Perth Western Australia
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dwellingup | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | BikeForce Joondalup | | Strengths: | Though it is not a dedicated downhill bike the frame rocks.
All bits on the bike are non standard . | | Weaknesses: | Pro Delux shock. Though it took a fair amount of abuse for the 1st 4 months now that i am hitting things harder it is not up to the task. One week after rebuild it is leaking. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky.Craftworks | | Bike Setup: | Boxxers up front.Aireal Industries chain device,stem,hubs.(do yourself a favor and use this gear it is tough)Hayse purple mag disc brakes.BETD 7and a half rear linkage.Dice 26 rims.Race Face Prodigy DH cranks. | | Bottom Line: | The frame puts up with more than it should.Rides beautifully and takes jumps with ease.
One word of advice if you go for an aftermarket rear linkage offering more than standard travel be prepared to order a custom wind spring. I am having to get a 1150 lb spring for the back as the 950lb spring bottomed out on the first jump. This could be part way because of the Pro delux shock(get a fox RC)but in 6inch setting it is a rocket :)
With the standard setup it is a first class freeride machine but with a bit of messing around it is a downhill weapon. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor-Cal
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cant tell | | Strengths: | XTR rear components, XT front. Hayes 8" brakes (could stop a train) Even though most people hate it, the RS Pro shock works great, It's very noticable in the adjustments. Marzocchi fork. | | Weaknesses: | Even though it's a Marzocchi, the Shiver has a lot of flex. But I cant feel it on the trail, but missing 10mm from the Z1, and the extra weight does not make sense in my book.
Some people complain about the weight, it dosen bother me, i'm used to riding a singlespeed. | | Similar Products Used: | None, this is my first full suspension bike. | | Bike Setup: | Shorter seatpost, different seat, and different shifters. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension bike. I am in love with it. I havent had much of a chance to thrash it yet, but it rides like I could never break it. I expected it to be very mushy while pedaling, which it is. I used to ride a single speed, so getting it up the hill is not the problem, having to reset my comfort zone is. The bike is the most forgiving bike when going downhill. You dont need to have the perfect line, if there are rocks in your way, go over them. The other thing that I am having a hard time getting used to is being one of the first to the bottom :) I do wish that the bike had a Z1 on it. I might sell the Shiver for a Sherman or try to get one of the 6" z1's when they come out, but I still love the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, Tn, USA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any with big air and drops | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World VIA Internet | | Strengths: | This bike is solidly built. I am new to free riding and intend to use this bike for light trail riding and some free riding. The shiver fork and Hayes disc brakes are unbeatable. The option of 4-6 inches of travel makes the bike very adaptable to different riding conditions. | | Weaknesses: | The biggest weakness of this entire rig is the bike shop and Kyle, the sales person I dealt with, where I bought the bike. I am deployed overseas in support of OEF and cannot get a bike where I am and I really wanted an AC1, so when Wheel World agreed to sell me this AC1 online I was very grateful. Unfortunately they took advantage of the fact that I was away and sent an obviously used and/or damaged bike, probably one the shop could not move off their floor. Neither Wheel World nor Kyle has shown any interest in helping me resolve this situation. My only advice is not to buy from Wheel World. Other than that the seat is kind of cheap but that is expected and will be replaced by the weekend and the front brake line routing sucks and should be routed behind the fork, again it will be fixed by the weekend.
| | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Bullit which now I should have bought. They have better customer service | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very versatile for those of us that cannot buy specific bikes to meet different riding conditions. It is one of the most affordable high-end free ride bikes there is and I highly recommend anyone to buy on. Only don't buy at Wheel world. Over all rating also reflects the poor service that was given by the bike dealer. Thanks MTBR | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | WheelWorld - Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Love it so far! Overbuilt, but that's why I choose it. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, though a chainstay gouged pretty easy when I put it on it's side (against a rock I suppose) while getting used to the clipless pedals. Shiver fork should have a guide for the front brake line toward the top of the tube, I taped on a short piece of wiring loom. Works great now. Didn't care for the seat too much, traded it for a wider one. | | Similar Products Used: | None, last bike was a Bridgestone MB-3 with early Trek suspension forks. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, though I'll be removing about 1,000g per wheel by switching to Continental Vertical Protection tires and Stan's No-Tubes. | | Bottom Line: | Bobs going up hills, though the fork lockout works great and maxing out the rear compression adjustment calms the rear down quite a bit. I wanted a reasonably capable XC bike that could still take decent sized drops without any fear of breakage, I think that's what I'll have once the lighter tires are installed. The extra weight all becomes worthwhile once you turn it downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan Calvo
a Downhiller
from Coquitlam
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wood lto | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports junkies | | Strengths: | This bike is one great ride my brother has a norco team dh
and it kicks ass compared to his | | Weaknesses: | none not enough time to ride on the weekend | | Similar Products Used: | norco team dh brodie devo | | Bottom Line: | one great bike would not buy or trade for any thing well maybe a Giant team Dh | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JK
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Good platform upon which to build a great trail-rig.
Great brakes
Good component spec except for hubs and pedals. | | Weaknesses: | Regarding the RS Shock...
* Poor sealing
* Inferior damping
* Top-out clunk
* Blew after 6mths / 800km trail riding
Formula Rear Hub
* freewheel mechanism destructed after 2mths / 450km trail riding
Spec Tyres - waaaaay too heavy for a trail rig.
Rear brakes suffer squeal that is almost impossible to rectify
Cheesy plastic pedals | | Similar Products Used: | lots... | | Bike Setup: | Stratos Helix Pro (excellent)
Hope rear hub (excellent)
Mavic 521 rims (excellent)
Shimano 545 SPD pedals
RaceFace 2 cranks less the 44T ring plus 32T rockring. | | Bottom Line: | Service the Shiver SC and use 5wt oil... way less stiction. Use slightly less oil than recommended and enjoy the full 120mm of travel.
Ditch inferior components as they fail and upgrade to bomb-proof ones and lose some weight inthe process.
Other than these gripes, I am very happy with the ride so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Milford, MA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | weekdays at Vietnam with some weekend downhill trips and Lynn woods if i can get there. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Milford Bike | | Strengths: | Frame,Hayes hyd w/ 8",Race Face w/ bash , Xt & XTR | | Weaknesses: | Rhino lytes, front and rear shock | | Similar Products Used: | This is my 4th giant, but i would say Tomac six shooter, Stinky five,& (with thinner tires) an Ellesworth ID | | Bike Setup: | stock except: 250lb rear spring, ODI's, heavier weight oil front shock. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike,I've been real satisfied, this is the fourth Giant I've owned. No problem climbing most stuff, although it is heavy. Your not going to follow a xc guy up a real tech incline. The 2.5 Michs are too wide but I love the stable feel and decided to keep them and sacrifice some climbs. The real issue I have is trying to adjust both shocks. The rear is either too soft or too firm, when I finally get it right I get a "ticking" sound from the bobbing. Some day I'll get a Fox but I guess thats how
Giant kept the cost down. The heavier weight spring is great for downhilling (P'kill and Mt Snow) and fr'ing around vietnam. I have never used the 5 and 4 inch settings but I like having them,I keep telling myself I'll use them some day. The front Shiver sc needs a heavier oil and the adjustments are useless. The shock gives you a smooth 5" (and looks cool) but I wish I had the Dirt Jumper or a Sherman.
For real technical rolling trails with lots of drops (3'-5')this is the perfect bike for the money no ones even close. I'm an aggressive rider with limited skills but ride 3-4 times per week. I'm on a large frame, 19" (6'3" 195)and beat the bike up pretty good (crashing and use).
I,m happy I got this model,the 2003 look a little wierd, have not seen one in person yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Katy, TX USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR Classifieds | | Strengths: | Strong frame, stiff to plush suspension depending on the setup, takes a beating and loves it, descends like a bat outta hell | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR drivetrain/brake levers, factory Shimano cables/housings, Avid CPS disc brakes, Rock Shox Psylo XC, Shimano 858 SPDs, Monkeylite riser, Michelin 2.1 Wildgripper Hot S, WTB Laser V saddle, Easton seatpost, Sun RynoLite rims | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up review. Had the bike for 3 months now with about 40-50 rides on it. You can't go wrong for the money. The bike loves to descend without a whimper. Soaks up the big roots, ruts, n rocks and begs for more. Tighter singletrack is a bit trickier due to the slightly slack head angle but can be overcome with a bit of experimentation with technique and riding position. Took me a bit to dial the twisties in but now I can hang with my XC buddies no prob. Climbs quite well for a dualie...I have to work a little harder to keep up with the XC crew but I can do it (conditioning/technique)...then on the downhills I give them a sneaky grin n wave as I fly by em while they're negotiating the. I can point it downhill and let fly cuz the frame and suspension just eat up the terrain...no particular line needed. Another sweet aspect of this rig is the wide range of adjustments available to the suspension. I use 4.5" in the rear for local trailriding and 4" on the Psylo (The stock fork is a Marzzochi Shiver 5" no adjust). In the 4.5 rear setting the shock is quite stiff and pedal transfer is direct..the thing launches forward with each stroke. The 5.15 and 6" setting provides plush bump sucking and moderate hucking capabilities. I've done 6' drops to level groung and the 6 inches soaked em up no prob. The stock setup leans more to the freeride side but with another fully adjustable for instead of the Marzzochi it can be ridden in a XC setting quite well due to the range of suspension setup options ...really! With the Easton bar, XTR drivetrain/levers, Avid CPS discs, and 2.1s (instead of the stock 2.5s), I've shaved the weight down to a bit under 30lbs (vs 31.5 as noted stock by Giant) so it is now quite light for an all conditions rig. I can honestly say I've made a good choice with this rig. It rides great, has a strong frame w/ a sweet geometry, and nothing has broken. Granted, I've tweaked it a bit to be lighter and more versatile but you can't go wrong even with the stock setup...especially if you are heavier or lean to the freeride end of riding. Go get one if you're considering a great rig but don't want to spend over $3000.00. Still...5 flaming chili dog turds for the AC1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Downhiller
from La Vista, NE(unfortunatly)
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Aspen, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain reaction | | Strengths: | Great value for the money! Loves to go downhill! Smooth handling. | | Weaknesses: | Does not climb very well at all. Slugish on sequental up/ downs, and on switchbacks. Seatpost and seat not the best. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher sugar, Klien mantra race. | | Bike Setup: | Eason bars, Kore stem, tompson seat post, rapid rise xtr, michillen hot s tyres. | | Bottom Line: | I am very pleased with the bike overall. Unfortunatly due to where I am the bike does not mesh well with the midwestern trails, or the rider. The bike was intended to go out west on downhills and tech stuff. I have no doubt this is where it will doo well. On the very short downhills here, the bike performs extremly smoothly! It does not like climbs or quick turns due to weight and geometry. I had to invest in a hardtail to be able to do the XC type trails here. The hayes brakes also take a while to break in but are very sweet! I also got a new seat post due to a lot of squeking from the stock post. Soaks up every very large obstacle put in front of it going downhill! | |
|
$ 2500.00
