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Submitted by
j duncan
a
from wendell,MA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wendell St. Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Online as Frame and Fork | | Strengths: | Bullet proof frame. Haven't changed the bushings or noticed play and I've been riding it sine 2002. Seated climbing is efficient. Point and shoot on roots and rocks, no problems. Enough clearnace for DH tires. | | Weaknesses: | Had to cut the left swingarm to fit a Marzocchi Roco Air shock. Wasn't using less than 5" setting so it wasn't a big deal. No other weakness | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Pike 454, Roco Air, Nevegals, XTR 8spd, Xt cranks/BB, Avid BB7's, Alex rims/XT-Redline hubs, Rocket-V saddle, Thomson post, Monkey-Lite bars, Race Face stem. Bike is set up to hang with the XC hammerheads on the flats and climbs and drop them when the trail points down or gets nasty. Oh yeah, I painted it flat black last year too. | | Bottom Line: | This is far and away the best bike I've ever owned. I work at a shop that deals Giant, Felt, Iron Horse and K2 and I can't figure out why Giant ever went away from this bike. Although,the new shock position of the Trance X reminds me a bit of the AC.
Mt. Snow, Kingdom Trails, Ninja Woods, Wendell St. Forest, Batchelor St., Hawley, Northfield Mt., this bike does it all. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Downhiller
from Tolland, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Some Local Shop | | Strengths: | Very good price for a full suspension bike with the components that are on it. It has a great rear shock that includes a lockout and isn't a pain in the ass climbing. Great color I must say, I have the Orange/Silver color. Oh lifetime warranty on the frame is great, if you tend to crack the frame. | | Weaknesses: | Weak frame...at least for the riding style I am into. Broke the frame three times before finally realizing I need a stronger bike. (Bought the bike for cross country, while increasingly becoming more and more interested in Freeride/Downhill, therefore I kept the bike for that riding style..hucking this bike off 20 footers{bad idea}) | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Coiler Garbanzo, Kona Stinky Deluxe, Iron Horse Yakuza Kamicho, and finally Specialized Big Hit 2. (I go through bikes like nothing) This was only after I used the Giant by the way..after freeride became my thing. | | Bike Setup: | Barely stock..Manitou Black Fork, Race Face Prodigy DH Cranks, Yeti Lock-On Grips, Hayes Sole Hydraulic w/ V8 rotor Brakes, Sun MTX-S Rims, and Maxxis Minion 26x2.5 Tires. | | Bottom Line: | If you are into Cross Country, and only cross country, this bike is perfect for you..its top notch. It has withstood everything I threw at it in terms of using it as a freeride and downhill bike, so it is basically a tank for cross country. Great buy, I no longer ride it, and i can def tell yawl i miss it for sure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikey O
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Merli | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Main Bike World | | Strengths: | Super beefy frame with gussets in all the right place, time proven suspension design, sealed bearings on all pivots, fairly light (31 lbs), adjustable travel on rear | | Weaknesses: | Crappy race-face chain rings and low end BB failed quickly, hated the stock Manitou Black Elite fork (maybe just me, but it left me on my face after a double at Plattekill...ow) | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar Expert, Trek Fuel, Jamis Dakar Comp | | Bike Setup: | Now has Rock Shox Ario rear shock, Zoke's Z1-FR SL front fork, Conti Diesels, LX/XT, Sun Rynolites/XT hubs | | Bottom Line: | I took this bike downhilling in Plattekill the day after I bought it in '03 (yup...bad idea) and it took a beating with no complaints. Also been abused at Killington, Diablo FR Park in Mountain Creek, NJ, and Snowshoe, WV, with many Pennsylvania XC miles on it. Still like this bike alot and the suspension design is one of the few that is finding it's way onto alot of other bikes these days. Can downhill one day and go for a 22 mile XC ride the next. I started shopping for a new bike last month and decided to just fix up this one... it's that good. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Perry Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | "Yellow Trail" on Bear Mt. (NY) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Some shop in Or. (online) | | Strengths: | The frame is tough as nails, the stock component set was great. Very little tweaking. | | Weaknesses: | Avid Mech brakes...not good enough, and the shop I purchased the bike from swapped out a couple of parts before shipping. Lastly, handlebars with a little rise would have been nice. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, KHS FTX Pro | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 525 hydro brakes, RaceFace Evolve DH cranks, big fat WTB MotoRaptors tires, SID XC rear shock, Manitou Black Elite forks, hand built Rhyno Lite rims w/XT hubs...yadda, yadda, yadda... | | Bottom Line: | When I bought this bike, I looked high and low. Gary Fisher, Trek, I even considered another KHS. But then, I found the Giant AC Air. This bike had very impressive specs, and the paintjob, PHAT! I finally figured, screw it, I'm going for it. Thank God I did! I've been riding the hell outta this rig. I live in the city, so I have to deal with concrete drops and quick cab dodging maneuvering. I feel comfortable and confident when I'm riding. And when I get out of the city and into the trails, the bike really kicks ass. I'm 195 lbs, and I've put a hurtin' on every bike I've ever ridden. But once again, this bike can take it. Not to mention, it climbs suprisingly well. Have three travel settings is gold. 4.5 in for the city 5.25 for XC riding, and 6 for descents. Nothin' but love. Giant's made me very happy, and when it's time for a new rig, it will probably be a Giant again.
This bike is for anyone who needs high quality and mid-range pricing. It's perfect for XC, and it can take the abuse of a serious freeride adventure, and I'd consider racing it even though people say it's too heavy at 29 lbs. You just gotta pick the right kind of race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Hellgeth
a Downhiller
from Elgin, IL
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Palos Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Schaumburg Cyclery | | Strengths: | Suspension, best mechanical breaks out there, shifter components, unique look | | Weaknesses: | Did not come stock with a quick release set post. The front derailer makes noise. | | Similar Products Used: | Diambond Back | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stoc. | | Bottom Line: | I would definitely stick with Giant products. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Lakes Cycle | | Strengths: | VERY comfortable ride. Good frame, nice components for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Looks. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great riding bike, but I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a bike that was so ugly. I know looks aren't the reason to buy a bike, but this was truly the worst looking paint job of any bike in the shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clark
a
from The OC
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$875.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Great Value, Very versatile performer, great geometry | | Weaknesses: | Limited seat adjustment range | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock | | Bottom Line: | The is a great all round performing bike. I leave the rear at 6" of travel and love the comfort. As far as the seatpost clamp complaints, Titec will send you a free new & improved replacement so I'm not sure why so many are complaining about that. Also the seatpost shims just needs a good coat of lubriplate to keep it quiet. This bike feels like a real motocrosser and inspires confidence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountain Goat | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Price, value, fork, drivetrain, Durability, stiff clean looking frame. | | Weaknesses: | Mutano Raptors dont grip enogh. Spokes. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized enduro, kona stinky. | | Bike Setup: | Stock AC Air except WTB 2.5LaserDH Weirwolf tires, Azonic shorty stem, Front wheel, bash ring, flat pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I found this bike very cheap, and even though some of the components seemed a little more cross country oriented then i wanted, i decided to buy it anyway and replace them as they broke. Much to my surprise, a year later and the bike is still mostly stock. I expected to have a new fork, rear shock, wheelset by now, but not so. This bike is super beefy. Even after two serious crashes involving fork on tree impacts, the fork still feels as nice as the day i bought it. I did, however blow both of the seals in the fork over the summer. I love the feel of this bike. It makes me want to ride all the time. The travel change in back makes a huge difference. In 4.5 inches it really does climb like an XC bike, and in 6 it feels like a free-ride bike on the descents.
I'm not sure if this is the fault of giant or my bike shop, but the bike was built with 15 guage spokes. After a year of riding, the front wheel was so flexy that the tread rubs on the brake arch of the fork, and the rear wheel is equally flexy, though there is so much clearance it isnt much of a problem, just doesnt track terribly well anymore.
This bike is truly an all mountian bike.
This bike is good for anyone who needs to climb, but also wants to have a plush, long travel feel on the downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rafael Ertel
a Cross Country Rider
from Amherst, Ma. USA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Amethyst | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | The AC Air is a good climber. I was pleasantly suprised the the first time I hit a real climb, this is in comparison to my old hardtail which was light and fast, and RED! The suspension system in general works. Feels great over roots, and fast rocky descents. The brakes are powerful and the rims seem to be holding up. | | Weaknesses: | Like many have stated the seatpost just won't stot its insistant creekinging, I also, like many swapped out the tires. | | Bike Setup: | stock with the exception of the tires and the good old Shimano 747's. | | Bottom Line: | I am very happy with this bike. I do not race so I do not worry to much about the weight. I ride primarily to stay in shape so the weight just makes me work harder:) If you can still find an AC Air and are looking for a go anywhere ride, this is the one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Stevens, WA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Preston RR Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bothell Ski and Bike | | Strengths: | Parts mix and value for price paid. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost creak and Avids require mucho adjusting. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried Sugar 3 and NRS 3 | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock except for the pedals. Replaced the nylon caged 424 SPD's w/ the metal caged 545's. May be heavier but I get much better clip in performance. Looking for a new seatpost too. | | Bottom Line: | You can't find a sweeter spec'd bike for the money, and it "ain't all show, no go" either! I've only got about 2 seasons of "real" riding under my belt and this bike has done more to improve my skills than I could have reasonably expected. Haven't had any of the problems others have (except as noted above), but I ain't no mongo huckster either. This bike is more than capable of taking everything I can dish out and then some. Wanted a go anywhere, do anything ride that will be with me for the long haul and that's EXACTLY what I got. Ride in the 4" mostly and have no problems climbing, descending, etc. (except for ones I create myself . . . ). Put it in 6" for trails like Preston and just glide, glide, glide. As for the complaints on the paint, maybe I'm just crazy but - it's an aluminum framed MOUNTAIN bike!!!!! What possible harm can a few paint chips do????? If it's still shiny you ain't riding anywhere near hard enough folks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Racer
from Old Orchard Beach, ME, United States
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Killer S*** Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | All Speed Bikes | | Strengths: | This Thing is Kick ass the best bike.
It is like you are on a coson of air the hole time
no pedle bomb eather
So nice for drops and jumps | | Weaknesses: | S*** Man Thats Not Cool | | Similar Products Used: | Suger One and Two
Shwin S- 10
Santa Cruse Bulit
| | Bike Setup: | Marsocki Bomer
Rear suspention At 7.75 inches in rear
Race Face and XT set up | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks ass peroid.................................................. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a
from Mill Valley, CA , USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good frame and components | | Weaknesses: | rear shock, I can't get it very stiff and I bottom it out on the littlest of bumps or drops. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock with various upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Its a good beginning freeride bike, good at trails and an ok jumper. It's also pretty light. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a
from Tulsa, OK
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Greenleaf SP & Turkey Mtn area | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | BOT | | Strengths: | front triangle stiffness, do-it-all-ness: very plush yet can still climb very well, components, price. | | Weaknesses: | Slight Rear Triangle flex, seatpost creak, seatpost shim BS, seatpost not really XC and DH friendly (I have 2 posts, 1 for XC [long] and 1 for DH/FR [short], Wheels are built with crappy spokes (its been 1 year and I have had to rebuild both wheels), brakes need frequent adjustment compared to Hayes or Shimano Hydrolics. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, SC Bullit, and various high and low end FS XC rigs | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Air w/ mods: Sun Rhyno Lite/DT spokes/REAL (rear), Sun DS-1/WS spokes/Real (front), Thompson seatpost, Continental Vertical (front), Continental Survival (rear), THE front fender, Bash Ring, Time Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is my last follow up, unless I break the thing. It has been over a year and this bike has been abused. Still working well, no play in pivots, rear shock still working surprisingly well (with routine lube and seal checks).
I totally fried the rear wheel, broke about half the spokes on the non drive side, and had to rebuild it. Giant should have used better spokes, all spokes broke at the threads, just inside the nipple.
The seatpost area developed a horrible creak (in the frame/post area not the saddle). I replaced the post with a Thompson and it seems to have stopped. maybe it was the post flexing and causing it to creak against the frame.
The rear Triangle flexes a tiny bit in high speed technical situations.
Thats about it :)
It has been a great bike. I would buy it again :)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Downhiller
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | very plush in 6, while very stiff in 4.5. 5.15 is nice for ups and downs together. The sid is okay, but i want a coil, and no rock shox | | Weaknesses: | heavyish, and sorta slow on uphills (still works though) | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky-five and dee-lux, rocky mountain slayer, cannondale jekyll | | Bike Setup: | 2001 psylo, sid XC, fat 2.5 and 2.3 tires.... hayes 8" discs, prodigy DH cranks, azonic shorty, easton monkeybar, lx shifters, xt derailleurs (work excellent with xtr cables) | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. It will soak up the big drops and keep your tires on the ground on the descents. The sid is really nice, but i need something stronger and a coil, and not rock shox. the psylo sucks, and i'm gonna get a shiver and helix pro. After that - this bike will be awesome. Even with rockshox, it still does handle good, although the suspension just really bugs the heck out of me. Its a good bike, but if you don't do a lot of hucking drops and going down hills, but want to go up more of them, get something lighter: a slayer or jekyll are both nice. This bike is great though for doing a little bit of uphill, with a lot of down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Montclair New Jersey
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Diamond Cycle | | Strengths: | Everything. The bike may weigh in it 29-30 pounds, but it climbs like it weighs 27-28 (in the 4in travel position). Once you crank up the travel to 6inch, it's pure butter. The bikes barely bobs when climbing in this position. The front fork compliments the rear, the rest of the components are great and don't let you down. | | Weaknesses: | Changing the amount of travel, you have to push or pull on the bolt in order to change it, it's not a trailside adjustment unless you have 5 min to spare. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar XC Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | If you want to race every once in awhile, and ride cross country, try some drops, kill on uphills, and smoke people going back down. If you want a pure race bike this ain't it, but it does everything else perfectly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sarah W.-age 14
a Weekend Warrior
from San Marino Ca--USA!!
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | one up by JPL somewhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Jones Bicycles! yeah! | | Strengths: | this bike rides really well. i love mine and take it out on realllllyy technical trails all the time when im not at school or doing homework. yes im 14 and a hard core rider!! | | Weaknesses: | the rear shocks could be better. i wanna put fox vanilla shocks on it back there. i had to put mr.tuffys aaannnddd slime tubes on it which are much thicker that the original stock tires. they would blow out all the time!! which got really annoying!! my friend and i would build our own dirt jump course in his yard since it was being worked on and we would race. he has an ok Trek . but i still would always beat him by several seconds on the inclines!! one other thing is that the paint chips real easily. | | Similar Products Used: | i have tried Treks, Cannondales, and also own a Trek and a Gary Fisher--other than my AC | | Bike Setup: | stock. except for tubes, rear shox and pedals | | Bottom Line: | i love love love this bike and it really holds up well when i went down a 5 foot drop!!. that may not seem impressive to you but is is to me!!!!i would not reccomend this bike for racin but just junkin around with it is what it was born to do . JUST BUY IT ALREADY!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C0NRADone
a
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Red Box, Brown Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycles in Torrance, CA | | Strengths: | .: Triple Gussets
.: Manitou Black Elite 100/120 Fork
.: RockShox Sid XC Shock
.: Avid CPS 160mm Mechanical Disc Brakes
.: RaceFace Prodigy Crank
.: WTB Speed V Saddle | | Weaknesses: | .: WTB MutanoRaptor DNA Tires
.: Crappy seatpost shim
.: Poorly built wheelset
.: Presta valves | | Bike Setup: | .: RaceFace Diabolus 50mm Downhill Stem
.: RaceFace 1.5" Riser Bar
.: ODI Rogue Lock-On Grips
.: Avid Speed Dial Ti Brake Levers
.: Avid CPS 203mm Mechanical Disc Brakes
.: Avid Rollamajig
.: Maxxis High Roller 26x2.7 (F)
.: Maxxis High Roller 26x2.5 (R)
.: Maxxis Downhill Tubes (Schrader)
.: WTB Laser V Saddle
.: Weyless B-27 Platform Pedals
.: Q-Stix Pro QR Skewers | | Bottom Line: | Kick ass bike - period!
This bike is definitely an All Conditions machine. The Manitou fork provides more adjustability than most riders will ever need. Climbers can practically lock-out the rear shock by turning the rebound knob clockwise until it stops. Screw climbing - I keep mine set on Cadillac mode. The Avids are second to none. I loved 'em so much I decided to upgrade to the 8" versions.
Other than the crappy MutanoRaptor rubbers and the silly seatpost shim, I really don't have anything to complain about. Many others seem to do well with the Sun Rhyno wheelset that comes factory with the AC Air. Perhaps I received a set that a novice wheelsmith experimented on.
I love this bike more than I love my girl. I give it 5 bloody tampons all around! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris K
a
from Boston, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Off MTBR.com Classifieds | | Strengths: | - Solid on downhills
- Light enough for XC but tough enough for freeride
- Eats up the small bumps and takes the 5' drops with ease
- Tough wheelset and a solid fork up front | | Weaknesses: | - The stupid seatpost, it creaks like crazy and the bolt
sheared in half after a dozen rides and don't get me
started on that seatpost shim!! | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight
Specialized Enduro Pro | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Azonic riser bar and XT everything. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line, this is an unbelievable deal. It rides like bikes that are twice the price. I am really, really hard on my equipment and I have thrown everything I have at this bike and it just begs for more. Its flown off 5 foot drops (with and without me on it), crashed into trees, bottomed out on rock walls and slide down 15 feet of slickrock. No problem. I'm coming from a Gary Fisher hardtail that I just destroyed over a period of three years and this bike has improved my riding exponentially. The confidence you will build up on this bike could be dangerous.
Between the durability, smooth ride, low pedal bob and great price, I can forgive the poor seatpost choice. Cheers to Giant for building a kickass ride... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Indefinite
a Weekend Warrior
from 18th St, LA, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt Wilson, YEA!! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | 1. Durable frame
2. Adjustable 4,5,6" rear shock
3. Adjustable 4,5" front fork
4. Good Avid brakes | | Weaknesses: | 1. Titec seat post. "What is Giant thinking of putting a shim on the seat post?"
2. Ghost Shifting
3. Chain and rear low gear will not shift smoothly under load.
| | Bike Setup: | Odyssy Twisted pedal, thomson 30.8mm seat post, Answer ProTaper carbon handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | First I would have to say this bike is good when u compared with the price. Good climber with almost no bob but the low gears(1,2,3,4) did not shift with ease under load. I heard some AC and NRS have this manufacture problem. Good downhiller although u have to make sure u had tighten all nuts. My left crank loosed and fell when I was downhilling a fireroad and I almost fell over the cliff. Did some 2-3' drops/jumps with no problem. Braking is good. AC Air and Lite are extinct now. u will have to buy VTs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C On
a Weekend Warrior
from Redmond
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Stop Drop N Roll | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bothell Ski and Bike | | Strengths: | Travel, spec., hub upgrade to XT, geometry, multi-use, balance, weight (for drops and jumps, what it will do to your confidence | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips, weight (for long XC climbs), Munatoraptor rear (blew out first ride), what it will do to your family life, what it will do to your body | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Cannondale Jekyll, Kona Stinky 9 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with tire switch | | Bottom Line: | What everyone says is true. This is THE bike for the all around rider. It's not pure huckster downhill (too light with Manitou forks, not heavy enough;-)), not pure racer (too heavy). I came from a racing background (riding a Cannondale M900 at 24 lbs.), and it took my legs a bit of time to get used to the extra push uphill. But it is worth it! The bike soaks up small stuff, and takes 4' drops to flat like they aren't there. The bike dialed in very nicely for my 6'3", 210 lb frame, although the Manitou's required the "very stiff" spring set to keep from bottoming on 4'+ drops. Also, the RS rear shock will bottom for me in 6" travel mode at 250 lbs positive, with a drop of 3' +. It doesn't do this in the 5" mode. I also have had to spend plenty of time adjusting the Avids...there a huge improvement over rim, but their not hydros. On steeper drops and chutes with traction, the rear will not lock without significant pressure. Otherwise they function well.
Overall, this is a killer bike. Especially for the price. Unless you are an ultralight racer or bomber, there are few bikes this well designed and adjustable in this price range. Get one!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Angeles Crest/Red Box | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | can't say | | Strengths: | This bike is pretty light. The components that come stock are quite good (XT group). I really like the WTB MutanoRaptor tires. | | Weaknesses: | The paint chips pretty easy. I wrapped a tube around to protect from chain slap. | | Bike Setup: | I swapped out the crankset and bottom bracket, put an 8" rotor up front, and switched to a longer stem. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding a 5" travel bike for over 2 years and getting this bike has made me an even more confident rider. This is arguably the best valued bike out there. I will re-review this bike after some more riding, but for now it rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan C. Diaz
a Cross Country Rider
from Venezuela
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World Miami | | Strengths: | excelent bike, is really smooth, bealive me This bike is awesome. I did a lot of comparison and reading on the different bikes and used similars. and it was the best choice. ;-) - In down hill is really handling , weight is really light.Color is awesome also, and reasonable price. And cross country is extremely good. Bealeve I,m not exaggerating. | | Weaknesses: | Some problems with the brakes, but I suggest you before make some adjustment. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Bear, Giant NRS2, Kona Stinky. | | Bike Setup: | all component are excelent, xt and avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Especial thanks to this web page, reviews from users helped me to make a right choose. Im really happy after all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Dana Point
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | luge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Outstanding out of the box config. Handles agressive, pretty nimble for a full susp, XT group a deal at 1200, black forks solid, Rock Shox Sid rear holding up despite the reviews. grinds well uphill, soaks up the downhills, unique color. | | Weaknesses: | Seat post shim a joke. Check all your bolts before your virgin ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Came from Fat Chance hardtail xtr titanium era, rode Psycle Werks Wild Hare. | | Bike Setup: | Stock xt, black elite, sid rear, rf xc cnks, lg, | | Bottom Line: | No one researches his gear more than I do. I've seen em all, rode most of them, read about all of them. The bottom line this bike costs 1/2 what it is worth. Is it a custom job, no, but it rides like one, looks like one, and if your married, it will get you one step closer to one, all you'll need is a frame, but after riding it, I'm sticking with it. Wgt. 220, ht 6'2, and pounding it, we'll see how it holds up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from Redmond, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Big Finn Hill St. Edwards St Park Bothell | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay used | | Strengths: | I love this bike. I consider this the least expensive of the best bikes out there. Of the AC line this was the least expensive at $1700 retail and for 2003 they are only producing the more expensive bikes, so the $1700 price tag may be gone unless you can find one still in the stores that seem to be on sale for $1399. Anyway, for the price I don't think there is a bike out there that can match this bike, and I would have even been willing to pay more but I thought the unusual copper color was pretty cool and figured i start with this bike and upgrade as necessary. | | Bike Setup: | I'm using the bike for quasi cross country and freeride, so the one thing i change for myself if that i'm running 2.0 wide tires on it which makes it lighter. | | Bottom Line: | I don't know how the bike handles for heavier riders but for me at 160 pds, i get no bob, with the 2.0 inch tires the bike isn't too heavy and i can fly up hills, and couple that with 5 inch travel in front and 6 inch in back, i can fly this bike on single track, hit roots 4 plus inches and not even be phased and fly through it. It has allowed me to handle so much more terrain so quickly. I love the geometry and set up on the Giants, this is my third one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Shapiro
a Cross Country Rider
from hinesville GA (armpit)
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | guinea road in Ft Stewart | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | quality bike | | Strengths: | alot of good components for the price, great frame that seems well versed in several bicycling disciplines. A wonderful machine that had taken over my normally mundane life and driven me to obsess. best bang for buck, | | Weaknesses: | driveline is not all that great--but livable.
My rear cassette seemd kind of cheap so I replaced the poor abused creature with an sram | | Similar Products Used: | cheepi mongoose, my wife's sugar 3+ disc | | Bike Setup: | stock except for pc-99 chainm sram 9.0 cassette and new xtr derailer--this helped alot | | Bottom Line: | I think this bike really kicks, it's tough and can take any punishment I can throw at it. Its smmoth and it jumps nicely. I had a dream the other nigh about a planet where bikes and humans had been having sexual relations producing sort of mountian bike/humanoids. The AC Air had taken the most pleaseing humanoid figure. Thsi leads me to believe that I mad the right purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from alpharetta,ga,us
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | mansel | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | ROSWELL BIKES | | Strengths: | first things first, It is awsome for the money! it is a wicked peddlar great for all types of riding.havent had any probs with breaking.avids are sweet | | Weaknesses: | the rear shock sucks in my opinion.other than that i love it. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock, gt zaskar, giant nrs 3 | | Bike Setup: | all stock soon to upgrade rear shock to a romic | | Bottom Line: | this a steel of a deal! it is a great bike for all types of riding it rides great and smoothley. great for weekend adventures. get the bike you wont regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Herndon
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gambrill State Park, MD | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Rides well. Even climbs ok in XC setting. Good component mix for the dollar. Frame appears strong. Adjustable rear travel. | | Weaknesses: | Paint. Not sure about Rox shox rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | FSR XC, Trek fuel, Trek Y | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I ride XC mostly. Bought this to supplement my Trek Fuel as more of a fun bike. And fun it is! I'm sure there are better long travel bikes but none that I know of this good for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aaron
a Downhiller
from idaho
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | built from frame up | | Strengths: | lightweight frame and great handleing. it has gotten me over and off everything in my path and nothing has broke yet. this thing is a beast. | | Weaknesses: | the bottom braket creaks but i dont really mind. aluminum does that. | | Similar Products Used: | mountain cycle sanandreas, kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | ac frame with fox vanilla rc rear shock, 2002 mr. t in front, hayes purple disc, mavic 321 dh rims, xtr rear with truvativ cranks and chain guide in front. azonic bars and stem, azonic loveseat, azonic peadals, 3.0 gazzalodii tires. | | Bottom Line: | awsome freeride/ downhill bike. used to be good at xc but i would rather push it up. handles anything and it is easy to control. there is also a 7 inch rear travel adapter kit. very plush. for anyone who wants a great dh bike and wants to still be able to peadal around town. | |
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$ 1700.00
