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Submitted by
darren *
a Downhiller
from cochrane alberta canada
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900000.00 | | Purchased At: | a friend | | Strengths: | a very strong frame with very good geometry. the high forward pivot is very pedal efficient as well as brake efficient. | | Weaknesses: | frame bolts come loose very often | | Similar Products Used: | alot | | Bike Setup: | custom | | Bottom Line: | a great bike if you cant afford a newer one. its a shame this was discontinued but if you are looking at a used one inspect it carefully for cracks as they will kill you | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rez
a Downhiller
from North Van,BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any DH with drops! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | BSP | | Strengths: | Front Forks,Shifters,TIRES,everything else pretty much! | | Weaknesses: | I did an 8 ft. drop and the rear shock rubbed on the tire...that's been the only weakness so far.One that I well expected (after reading all these reviews.) | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit,Norco DH Team,SC Bulitt | | Bike Setup: | Stock,execpt flat pedals. | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a good solid bike,for a very good price, I would reccomend this to anyone!It handles awesome downhill and even for freeriding.What I also like is that I would kick everyones @$$es in races and leave all them Norcos and what-not behind!HAHAHA!Overall:Great bike,Great price, reccomended to any Downhiller with enough money to buy this! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Downhiller
from chicago
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | private | | Strengths: | This thing is a beast and is the stirdiest dh I've ever ridden buy it | | Weaknesses: | one of the pivots on the swing arm comes loose and my brother totally busted the swingarm, but you get another one free and ditch the "titanium" saddle it is a piece of crap. | | Bottom Line: | buy this bike If you bust the swingarm they give you another one free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kent Patterson
a Weekend Warrior
from North Shore
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Just riding any trail... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Private | | Strengths: | Strong downhiller, point it. Excellent balance and maneuverability anywhere. That Romic shock kicks butt. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. BB is low, but that just means means I need to launch more. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Wildcat (former bike), Norco DH and Shore, Specialized Big Hit, Brodie 8ball, Rocky RM7, GT DHi and more... | | Bike Setup: | Romic rear shock, boxxer, race face (headset and DH cranks), XT throughout, Easton bars, kooka stem, D321 + hayes, Michelin front (2.8) and Nokian Gazzaloddi (2.6) rear. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome, can't wait to get some more hours on the bike.
My riding has improved significantly by moving from my Marin Wildcat to the Giant. I never understood what the review meant, "best pedaling bike" until I rode it hard and pedaled through everything!
I recommend adding it to your test list. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Budd
a Downhiller
from Bridgewater, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cupcake run | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Mole Hill Bike Shop | | Strengths: | This bike flat out kicks butt. Theres no question that this is one of the lightest downhill rigs out there. Once I purchased this bike I started placing in the top three positions in all my races. Works wonders in corners and sprinting courses. Most pluch bike I have ever ridden through rocky terrain. | | Weaknesses: | Make sure you lock tight all of the bolts in the lower pivot points. Then Enjoy | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC1, Intense M1 | | Bike Setup: | Sun Ringle Modo's, Marzocchi Monster T, | | Bottom Line: | If your a big guy and dont want a bike that wieghs you down anymore or just want a sweet bike to tear up the race courses this is the bike for you. If your a freerider who likes big air upgrade to a bigger fork and wheelset. The bottom line here is that this bike is one of the best out there. Not only for the price but for the ride. Dont listen to all the people that think its not tough enough or cant compare to aother big rig like an Intense or Kona or something because I've riden those too and my chose is still the giant. Giant will stick with you in anything and is a great company to deal with. So get this bike and I promise you wont be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Highlands Ranch, Co
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cowboy Up, Ketstone Stickline, Beaver Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Employee | | Strengths: | Great value, lighter than most rigs out there. Stiff rear end. Corners like a Porsche, sprints better than almost any DH bike. LOCK-TIGHT every rear suspension bolt before riding it, so like most of the Giant DH frames, it won't fall apart. | | Weaknesses: | Drive side single pivot bearing came loose. Giant warrentied a new swing arm and even 2-day aired for me. Chain guide absolutly sucks, get an MRP. Ditch the Selle Italia seat, crash once and it's trashed. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Super 8, Specialized Big Hit Comp, Giant AC1, Cannondale Gemini 1000 & 2000, Intense Uzzi SL. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, soft spring kit in BoXXer with 10 weight oil, Easton post, Titec Bezerker seat, Shimano DX pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Giant's warrenty is top notch!!!!! Bike is worth way more than retail price. Once you get the feel for the bike it rocks. Cornering fast is so simple and easy. Sprints like a bunny. You can pretty much set yourself dead center on the bike and ride it anywhere, whether super steep or flying through the air. Michelin tires wear faster than most, but the front tire rocks on just about everything it goes over. I havn't had any problems with the rear shock like most people, but i would like to put a 5th element on it just to see how it handles. Other than the rear swing arm wanting to leave its bearing Giant made a perfect race bike for almost any type of terrian. I would like to try another rear shock to see how it handles. Other than that Lock-tight everything, get an MRP, and the bike rails through anything | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Littleton
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Employ | | Strengths: | Stiff rear end
8"+ of rear travel
sprinting ability
cornering ability
customer service
| | Weaknesses: | Rockshox rear
non adjustable geometry
bigger wheelbase in large size
poor engineering | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Bullit 7"
Azonic Eliminator
Haro DHR
Lenz Sport Pro Descender | | Bike Setup: | Custom build package...Shiver WC, MRP, Hayes Purple, Romic Rear shock (HIGHLY RECCOMEND!!) total weight=44lbs | | Bottom Line: | The bike rides well and wont hold you back, lets face it, this frame HAS won on the World cup and NCS circuits. However I have had mine for under 1 month and already stress fractured the seat tube right where the shock mount it welded to the main triangle, at the bend. I do think it is a little bit too choppered out with a Shiver and the wheelbase is a little bigger than I am used to but the bike rides well. Giant allready sent me a replacement so I know their customer service is TOP NOTCH. There still isnt a better frame out there for the money except maybe the Azonic, but it has its problems too. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Radek Nevrlka
a Racer
from Stoney Creek Ont
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | My own | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | Main Cycle | | Strengths: | I have a shiver DC, amazing, plush, purple hayes are soo powerful, Rear Shock seems to be fine thus far, Bike feels at home in the air and in the corners, takes the hits | | Weaknesses: | Everything needs regular tightening (but o well) chainguide needs to be setup properly (lotta time)rear shock is exposed and i broke the compression knob, or was it the rebound? Other than that it is amazing! | | Similar Products Used: | none! | | Bike Setup: | SHIVER DC 2002, Purple Hayes, RACE FACE NS, ISIS Spindled Signature, XTR, Mavic D321, Onyx DH, Hayes, Alpine 3 DT Swiss, | | Bottom Line: | AMZING, 6,500 CND i paid... 6 months pay for me (student) worth it... goin big with this bike, gettin pics by pro's and racin O-CUp for the first time
Buy this bike and be happy... its got its quirks just like any other, but they are minor, slap on a MRP chain guide and all good!
Peace | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Downhiller
from Orcutt, CA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | employee purchase | | Strengths: | raceface.titec.narly frame pretty stiff. | | Weaknesses: | chain guide, grips, pebble shox pro-deluxe. | | Similar Products Used: | giant ac1, big hit, | | Bike Setup: | stock exept for pedals, easton flats | | Bottom Line: | Wow this is plush handles better than me. turns like a beast.corners like dream, well balanced.like the color.still getting used to the weight, im so used to my ac but give me a few months and i'll burn up the trail and every thing in my path... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike myers
a Weekend Warrior
from newcomerstown
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | snow shoe WV | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | country side | | Strengths: | great bike from factory. did not have to replace any parts.
great in cornering, big drops(hanbles 7-8 foot drops like ease), nothing can get in its way, the bike kicks | | Weaknesses: | didnt like the clipless peddles, and dont care much for were the rebound adjustment is( about 2 inchs from back tire) could break easy | | Similar Products Used: | of this quality- none
last bike was a warp ds1 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for tioga flat peddles | | Bottom Line: | one kick @#$ bike for the price.. if you got the money i would look at this bike first..no cheap parts, unbreakable, go any were bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevyn Newpher
a Racer
from Newbury
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | dont know havent riden them all... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Spoke n' Wheel ( where i work) | | Strengths: | Component selection is great, nothing you really need to replace.
weight is respectable
sprints like a beast (for a dh bike...) | | Weaknesses: | Had to send back rear swing arm, miss-machined the bearing slots
had some pivot problems, then locktighted them again and let it dry. havent had them loosen up after three races.
| | Similar Products Used: | first DH bike for me, rode a Profile DH before but thats it.
I have a azonic ds-1 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first Downhill rig i have ever owned. And my first year racing downhill as well. Despite the first problems with the miss-machined swingarm and the simple pivot fix i have no complaints. I hear lots of complaints about the pivots and shock all the time. My shock has been fine and I have been doing some pretty serious riding on it. And most of the people i have talked to that have the bike with a replaced rockshox or fox love their bikes. This thing has progressed my riding level immensley, i have been doing 10-15' foot drops with confidence. I've been racing DS on east coast since last year in OH,PA,WV. And started racing DH this year, and so far in three races i have two wins and a second in the expert senior class. My second race i beat a semi-pro by over 10 seconds in a 3 minute average course. I am very happy with this bike. I know it is a very competitive machine, i only hope i can be as competitive as it is. For anyone looking for a for top notch ride for a great value even at 4,000 retail, this could be your ride. I definitley recommend looking at this rig. Great ride at a great price, even with firt year glitches. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Downhiller
from Fountain Hills AZ USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything at south mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | MBK Cycles Lake Havasu AZ | | Strengths: | Low center of gravity, plush, suspension is balanced, pedals well, all components are very nice, no cutting any corners her for Giant. | | Weaknesses: | Chainguide sucks, | | Similar Products Used: | Storm DH | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great all they way around. I changed out the chainguide to an MRP. Put a smaller chainring on it. I also switched out rear shock for Romic. Pivot bolts did loosen up once, took it all apart and blu loctited everything, nothing has came loose again. Nice to see one of the big Companies staying in the DH game.Anybody serious about DH should look at this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lane west
a Downhiller
from so cal
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | this is a follow up to the last reveiw.set bike up with romic shock and changed oil weight in boxxers,the bike now feels completly different. the chain ring is still a slight bother.overall with the new rear shock this bike handles incredibly well,and seems to take everything you throw at it with confidence,have decided to keep bike and race/ride it.if you get this bike check out your options and get a rear shock that works and you will love this bike.iwill give it four chilis for truoble and cost of new shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LANE WEST
a Downhiller
from SO CAL
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | local dh | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | lbc | | Strengths: | LOOKS GOOD, PRICE WAS RIGHT,TIRES AND RIMS,RACE FACE NORTH SHORE CRANKS,HAYES DISK. | | Weaknesses: | POOR REAR SHOCK,CHAIN DEVICE DOES NOT WORK, BOXXER SUCKS FOR A 1300.00 FORK,WEAK LINKAGE NEEDS CONSTANT TIGHTENING EVEN WITH LOTS OF LOCKTIGHT. HEAVY,WHO NEEDS 44 TOOTH CHAIN RING. REAR SHOCK EASILY EXPOSED TO EVERYTHING. | | Similar Products Used: | SC BULLIT DH SET UP | | Bike Setup: | STOCK EXCEPT AZONIC SHORTY DELUX STEM ,AZONIC FLATS,BARS. | | Bottom Line: | THE BOTTOM LINE IS GIANT MUST NOT HAVE HAD THE CONSUMER IN MIND WHEN THEY PUT THIS BIKE OUT. WHY WOULD THEY PUT SUCH CRAP ON A BIKE AS A REAR SHOCK THAT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE AND BLOWS WITHIN 10 HOURS OF RIDING? THE CHAIN DEVICE IS THE WORST; DUMP IT AND GET AN MRP. MAKE SURE YOU GO THROUGH EVERY NUT AND BOLT TWICE BEFORE YOU RIDE NO MATTER HOW MUCH LOCK TIGHT YOU USE. THE 44 RING IS JUST TOO BIG FOR MOST DH COURSES IN SO CAL AND ANYWHERE ELSE BUT WORLD CUP. THE BOXXER IS NOT THE MOST ADJUSTABLE EITHER AND THEY LEAK OIL RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS BIKE SINCE DAY ONE. THE BOTTOM LINKAGE IS BELOW THE BOTTOM BRACKET AND LOVES ROCKS. TO DO ANY WORK ON THE DRIVE SIDE YOU MUST REMOVE THE PAIN IN THE ASS CHAIN RING DEVICE,NOT TO MENTION YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SPACERS TO KEEP THE CHAIN FROM RUBBING THE GUIDE. I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM WITH THIS BIKE; I GUESS IF YOUR'E MILES ROCKWELL AND YOU HAVE A MECHANIC TO WORK ON YOUR BIKE CONSTANTLY IT MIGHT BE A GOOD BIKE ,BUT IF YOUR JOE BIKER LOOKING FOR A GOOD BIKE AT A GOOD PRICE LOOK ELSWHERE. I HAVE SEEN THREE OF THESE BIKES WITH BLOWN REAR SHOCKS AT RACES AND SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS.I WILL SEE WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT THESE GUYS HAVE BEFORE I GIVE UP AND DUMP THE BIKE FOR SOMTHING DEPENDABLE. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LD
a Downhiller
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Local DH | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Exceptionally good componentry(Boxxer, Gripshift...etc) Frame seems to have the weight right where you want it, balance is great. Bike handles very well in all conditions that I have tried. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock(Rock Shox Pro Deluxe) I had this bike for less than one week, and decided to go to our local dirt jumps and do some small gaps to get used to the bike, and within half of an hour the rear shock completely blew out. However, Rock shox was very helpful in getting the shock back to me quite quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Palmer Edition, Intense M-1. | | Bike Setup: | I have kept all stock parts on the bike. I have cut down the bars to a better 26" length, and eventually plan on putting on Azonic Bars. | | Bottom Line: | This bike really does handle very well, and Giant has cut no corners in making one of the best stock downhill bikes on the market. Out of the box, the fork is way to springy to be riding technical downhill on. Fix this by revalving the fork and adding thicker oil. I had so many problems with the Intense M-1, that I had to replace the bike, and settle on the Giant. I bought this bike from the shop that I work at, and Giant gave me a great deal. Expect to pay from 3500 to 4000 dollars for this beauty, but if you can afford one, you wont be dissapointed. But maybe think about a rear shock upgrade. Email me with any questions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James potter
a Downhiller
from tas
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | TREADLIES | | Strengths: | the bike is loaded with top qual components and is generally tough, | | Weaknesses: | no rear guard for the rear shock, | | Similar Products Used: | cheeta dh, avanti d8, | | Bike Setup: | as purchased | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks, i've only had it a week but it is already heaps smoother and faster than my old bike. the team doesnt have the same probs as the comp with the derailleur hitting the frame as it's running sram. the bike is also very stable in the air as it's got a very low center of gravity. It is generally just a very smooth bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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