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Submitted by
nick chat
a Weekend Warrior
from la ca us
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | lake hughes | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist | | Strengths: | great bike it geared up for anything first real mountain and i love | | Weaknesses: | cound have a quick realease fo the seat but thats cool anyway | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky giant Ac2 | | Bike Setup: | rock shox front forks light bike | | Bottom Line: | great bike for begginers and pros. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Edwards
a Weekend Warrior
from Roxbury
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | It is a great bike for the money and excellent for beginners. This bike can take a beating. | | Weaknesses: | The shocks and brakes could be a lot better, but the bike is easily upgradeable. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | If you're a begginner and looking for a decent bike to start with, this is it. The components can always be upgraded as you get more comfortable riding, but even stock this bike can still keep up with the best of them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory
a
from Wyoming
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$790.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Very awsome bike!!! I am very satisfied with it. If you are looking at getting a very good beginers bike, this is the bike. I have had it for a year and it is a very dependible bike. I have put over 7400 miles on it and it is still as strong as a new one!! I have changed gears rapidly while pedaling hard and it does awsome and doesn't break or make any sounds. I am planing on keeping it for life. Very good considering the price. It is fun to go cross country with it or go in muddy places. Only have to do 1 check up a year!! | | Weaknesses: | The ONLY thing is the back shock. It is too bouncy and doesn't do good on jumps. I went off a jump and when i landed then spring bounced back up and i all most went over the handlebars. I am trying to replace it with a Fox shock so if anyone has one for sale please e-mail at Jeep60@wyoming.com | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | Bike setup is awsome any very strong. The best thing is that it is designed in America. | | Bottom Line: | A very great bike!!! i would give it a A++. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ygfh thhx
a Downhiller
from CA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | colby-dalton | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$911.00 | | Purchased At: | Giant Bikes | | Strengths: | awesome suspension, good price | | Weaknesses: | bouncy rear shock | | Bottom Line: | this bike has good suspension at a good price.It is a good bike if you are looking for a comfortable ride. If you plan to climb very steep hills this is probbably not the bike for you.Buy this bike if you are looking for a good ride at a very good price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Spagnoli
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Woodland DirtJumps | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | McWhinnies | | Strengths: | The bike is not bad for the price,it needs a little money to make it desent | | Weaknesses: | Tires, Frame, Brakes, Axle, and the ----- wakes the deads it is so loud | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Stinky, 2004 stinky | | Bike Setup: | Stock but changed pedals, added bash guard, changed tires | | Bottom Line: | Not a bad bike for the price, giants warenty saved me because the frame snapped right under me, got an 04 frame so i am not complaning. Good bike to start doing some serious riding but it will need to be replaced after about 2 years if you ride hard. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Provost
a Downhiller
from London
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything that will hurt you! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheels Bike Shop | | Strengths: | This bike has all the features of the more expensive bikes and costs a third of the price. i have hammered on this bike for 1 1/2 years now and had nothing major go wrong. the frame is solid, i weigh about 190 lbs and take this bike everywere. urban riding, trails and big downhills. i raced this bike in a Chico DH race this summer and it still held up. Solid all around bike. Just need to upgrade the forks.
| | Weaknesses: | front forks - get and better fork if you are doing any big downhill.
| | Bottom Line: | great bike for the price. you will never regret buying this bike or have to worry about busting it. plus it looks freak'n wicked! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gharrett n/a
a Racer
from WA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | schleyer | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | bothell bike and mountain sport | | Strengths: | fork is pretty nice and the hydro brakes arent bad plus i like the rims | | Weaknesses: | the frame and cranks.....my frame broke beneath me and i weigh only aobut 100 pounds so i say that this frame really sucks as does the back shock its like a frigin pogo stick | | Similar Products Used: | giant ac1 its way better | | Bike Setup: | i had this bike with a K-9 bash ring and hayes hydro disks | | Bottom Line: | dont buy this bike if u wanna be hitting anythin bigger then 4 feet because the frame is horrible and will brake on u like it did on me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jamie
a Downhiller
from Mandurah
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | goat farm | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | really good hydro disc brakes, good crank, strong dh rims,
strong dh handle bars, and the frame is bulky and strong | | Weaknesses: | there are not that many weakness but my forks snapped which was gay but over it;s a joi bike | | Similar Products Used: | ds2, | | Bike Setup: | - | | Bottom Line: | this bike a good bike for it price and i reccomend this bike for average freeriding and some dh not but use as a full dh bike other wise it will not hulk up and brake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
max
a
from Centennial,wy,U.S
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | The fine edge | | Strengths: | durable, very durable. The Giant warp DS1 is the best bike iv'e ever had. | | Weaknesses: | just a little heavey. | | Bike Setup: | straight out of the shop | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best i've ever owned. I'm twelve and thi 16.5 in fits me. I would recaomend this bike any day | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Downhiller
from Bulington Vermont USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any thing DH | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Great shox very strong every thing | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Bomber Front shox Hydrolic discs | | Bottom Line: | Good DH or Freeride bike you can bash it and nothing happens to the bike rocksolid frame componants are great i upgraded the derailer because it got hit and broke but great know | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from renton WA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | secret hehe | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$835.00 | | Purchased At: | center cycle | | Strengths: | great components, real strong cranks plush travel, great price | | Weaknesses: | if ur gona freeride this rig u need a 5in travel fork ( i got a 03 DJ3 on it) and the frame broke at the seat/bottom tube weld on a smallish 5 footer but id like to compliment giant on there warrinty return policys i trashed it and giant had me riding again in 2 weeks. | | Similar Products Used: | kona kauna, k2 attack 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | DJ3 fork, prodigy 100mm, weyless platforms, ea50 post speed v saddle, odi lockons, ringle mamoth rear rim...ect | | Bottom Line: | one heck of a bike i lve this thing with all my heart and im amazed its held up so well!!! basicaly a great bike that with some work can handle a lot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Downhiller
from Lewiston, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | redwolf | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Wheels,tire,headset,brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Everything else. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou x-vert tipple clamp fork, kona downhill bars, primo pedals and a bunch of other stuff. I pretty much made it into a downhill bike | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT USE THIS BIKE FOR DOWNHILL/FREERIDE!!!!!!! Because I did and it didnt holed up at all. It was always one thing after an other that was breaking. I pretty much had to replace every part, and just the other day the the frame broke in half.
This bike may not be good for freeriding or downhill but if you want a great bike for trails or just riding around the giant ds1 warp is the bike for you. I recommend this bike for beginners. If you want a downhill/freeride bike just save your money and by a Giant AC or Giant DH because those bikes kick A$$.
Oh yeah I forgot to say "don't run a triple clamp fork on any warp because if you jump hard you'll rip the head tube off." | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris P
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1580.00 | | Purchased At: | Supercycle | | Strengths: | I've only used the bike for 2 days now but i feel it is AMAZING!! The frame, the disc brakes, the new rapid fire system (i bought a 2003 model), colour, amazing bomber fork and much more!!! | | Weaknesses: | nothing found so far..... :) | | Similar Products Used: | Jeep Comanche Sport | | Bike Setup: | Store bought | | Bottom Line: | I havent been riding it for a while but i feel its INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Riordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Garden Grove, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | rock -it /laguna | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | two wheels one planet bike shop | | Strengths: | 5 inches of rear wheel travel, y-style frame design,hydraulic disc brakes, beefy frame that can take abuse, wtb 2.40 tires. | | Weaknesses: | a little on the heavy side. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano sram 7.0 27-speed, marzzochi bomber front forks with 4" of travel, giant MPH hydraulic disc brakes, coil rear shock with adjustable rebound control. | | Bottom Line: | overall it is a great bike for the money. Just want a bike that is a little on the lighter side. Actually good bike if your into doing freeriding with moderate downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riggs
a Cross Country Rider
from Bronx, NY
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Saxon Woods, Sprain Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Manhattan Bicycles, NYC | | Strengths: | Good frame geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Too much bobbing at the 5" setting.
Frame cracked after only 5 months of use. I didn't experience this problems w/ other bikes that I owned.
| | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Joshua F4, Jamis Dakar Pro, Gt Avalanche 2.0, Gt XCR4000. | | Bike Setup: | RockShox JUDY fork, Easton seatpost Sun Rims, Avid CPS disc brakes, Shimano XT cranx, Rear der., LX front der., Hutchinson Mosquito Air light tires (2.3), sram7.0 cassette. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was doing fine until the frame cracked on me while I was on the trail. I guess at 250lbs, I was too much weight for the bike. I was shocked though, considering that the Fisher Joshua shared very similar characteristics. Keep in mind also that I did no serious free-riding w/ the bike.... just primaly cross-country riding. So if you're a heavy rider, be careful w/ this bike. I rode it to the fullest and was very disapointed when the frame cracked on me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicholas
a
from Mountain View, California, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$830.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycle | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, brakes are nice until you screw them up, Overall whole bike, price, fat tires | | Weaknesses: | Fork is doable but I replaced it with a Dirt Jumper 1 for 1 more inch of travel and adjustments, rear derraileur :( i broke mine after 3 months of use, I also screwed up my front disc brake, rear shock, seat post too long but i cut it, Heavy, shifters, cranks but havent broken them yet | | Similar Products Used: | ??? | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1, Power Tools Stem, Deore shifters, deore rear derraileur, MRP, primo pedals, 20mm marzocchi front hub | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for people who want to begin to do more extreme riding than XC | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C R
a Weekend Warrior
from K
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$899.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycles intenational | | Strengths: | tires,rear derailer nice, frame, brakes. | | Weaknesses: | cranks getting loose | | Similar Products Used: | canondale jekle 700 | | Bike Setup: | Giant ds 1 shimano shifters & levers, profile maniac riser bars, w/ritchey grips. rest stock | | Bottom Line: | 2003 DS1, wrote a review before, but I have put it to the test for my ability. In two words, love it. the only problem I have now is the cranks are starting to loosen, have not taken them apart to see what the problem is. Destroyed the front shifter in a spectacular wreck in front of a bunch of 10-12yrolds. pretty embarrassing. I got lx shifter, levers to match the rear derailer, also got profile maniac riser bars. Did not have a problem with the stock bars just like how they rise & the looks. I also got ritchey grips, I like them execpt they are narrower than the stock grips & they drive me crazy. Myhands are on the side of the bars & the levers, but I do like the grip of them just wish they were wider. I cut 1" off each side of the bars to get threw narrower trails.
Another review talked about "bob" had it at first, rear shock was set real soft, I tightened the adjustment on the shock and its gone. The cables are also rubbing on the frame, got lizard skins, first ride they all came off. Any ideas welcome. I may just rap the frame in those areas with electrical tape. Will review later on the crank, if it turns out to be a problem or operator error.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Kasper
a Racer
from Henniker, NH
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kingman's farm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Waites Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Frame is strong, looks sweet in black. Pretty much everything is good it looks sweet with the setup I had. | | Weaknesses: | I seriously haven't found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Giant Warp DS1 | | Bike Setup: | 2002 frame, romic rear shock, Shimano XT drivetrain, Race Face North Shores, Sun Ringle Double Wides, Maxxis High Roller/Mobster/Bling-Bling Dual, Marzocchi Z1 Freeride, snafu bmx pedals, and a a SDG saddle that needs to be replaced badly. | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike, I picked the frame up as a replacement to the 2001 Warp DS1 that I broke in an unfortunate accident. Put on the shock from the 2001 frame which was a Romic. It rides like a dream. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BJB
a Weekend Warrior
from Winter Park, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$899.00 | | Purchased At: | Loco Motion | | Strengths: | Frame, Rear Shock (Giant HV), Avid CPS Disc Brakes, Price | | Weaknesses: | Front Shock (Manitou Axel Super), Shimano Alivio Front Derailleur, Cranks, Weight (36 lbs) | | Similar Products Used: | (Recent)2003 Giant Rainier (Old)Kona Fire Mountain, Scott Boulder | | Bike Setup: | Removed the platform pedals that come with the bike for my old reliable Sakae Lowfats with toe clips. All else stock. | | Bottom Line: | Well after alot of research and planning I went with the 2003 Giant Warp DS-1, a great bike for a very good price. I only picked it up this last Friday and went for extended rides on Saturday and Sunday, but I thought I would write the review now so that I can write another review in awhile for comparison.
The frame is great, the swingarm is much beefier than the 2002 version I have seen. Both pivot areas, and dropouts, are forged aluminum for extra strength, and with the newly shaped tubing and gusseting the Warp is reinforced in all the right areas.
The rear shock is very plush and has adjustable rebound and compression damping. There are 3 different springs that can be used on the shock: 650 lb/in (110-154 lb rider), 800 lb/in (154-198 lb rider), and 1000 lb/in (198-242 lb). Make sure your bike shop gives you the right one for your weight!
The brakes are awesome. Very Powerful, but, need a little time to be broke in. Very easy to adjust and removing the wheels is a breeze compared to cantilevers. The Avid AD3 levers are good performers all around and are of course well suited to the Avid brakes.
The Front Shock, 2003 Manitou Axel Super is an oil shock with rebound adjustment and fluid damping. The shock seems to perform fairly well, but always seems to have oil leaking from it.
The Shimano Alivio Front Derailleur has performed well so far in this limited riding, but, I would have liked to have seen a Deore component at least to match the rear derailleur.
The Giant cranks are pretty cheesy looking, big and goofy. Again they have performed well thus far, but a Deore component would have been nice.
The weight of this bike is heavy for anything but downhill or freeriding. 36 lbs stock! It is though not as noticeable as I would have thought... even with the 2.24 WTBs it moved fine on pavement, and the trails. Unless you are used to riding a <25lb bike you are not going to really notice it.
On the cross country trails I took it on it was a little tricky throwing the bike around a switchback, or tree, or over some of the chainring killer logs, but, for the most part it was good. I am probably going to get a narrower handlebar for this type of riding, as the handlebar that it comes with is a bit wide for my taste... most likely spec'd for more control while downhilling.
As time goes on I will probably replace the components with lighter ones anyway so I am not worried about the weight. Plus there are barely any hills in Florida... ;-p
For those of you worried about "bob"... the pogo stick movement of the suspension compressing under powerful pedaling associated with a single pivot bike. There is bob with this bike most noticeably when on a flat hard surface and pedaling out of the seat. I have found though that if you keep your weight back slightly, and do not sway the bike from side to side as is often done this can be reduced quite a bit.
Alot of people seem to be concerned about a rear suspension being active while climbing too but, at least with this bike, it is great climbing a rutted, rooted uphill dirt climb and having the suspension keeping that tire in the dirt.
Overall, I don't think "bob" gives as negative a performance hit as most bike companies would like to admit but I suppose it is a riders preference as well.
The only other small thing I should mention is. Watch out for that front brake cable! It typically ends up getting routed in front of the headset and behind the left leg of the fork. This is a great setup but when the shock depresses the cable pushes up and slides against the frame.
After these two rides the cable has worn away a small area of paint to the bare aluminum! I would suggest getting some kind of routing device for the cable or some kind of lizard skin or something to keep the cable free for movement but away from the frame.
Well that is all for this review. I will be back again with another after a few more sessions with the bike. Thanks for reading! I hope it helps with your decision making. If you have any more questions, just email me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Downhiller
from Marin
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Secret Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$780.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bikes | | Strengths: | Front Fork, Rear Shock, Color, Hydrualic disc brakes, fatty tires | | Weaknesses: | seat post(too high, no big deal though), shifters, a little on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hardrock, Giant rainier, Marin alpine trail, Jamis Dakar Sport | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for entry level freerider/downhiller people. Extremely low price. Good overal bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Keaser
a Weekend Warrior
from Englewood Fl. USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Int. Bicycles | | Strengths: | brakes, frame, suspension, tires, its awesome. | | Weaknesses: | rear derailler, little heavy, seat was uncomfortable but got use to it, but would not trade it for those reasons. | | Similar Products Used: | P.O.S. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is an 03 DS1, my first bike of this caliber. I Love it, the rear derailler is not very smooth, but compared to what I use to use it is a dream. All in all, I think the bike is great for the price, and ride, for someone who wants to start riding. I also bought a DS3 for my girlfriend to see if she would like to start riding. She thinks its the best thing since sliced bread. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Cominski
a Racer
from Renton WA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything on Tiger Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Center Cycle Renton, WA | | Strengths: | This bike has many strengths, lightness not being one of them! The Fork and shock are first class don't be put off by the house brand rear shock. Although it isn't a Fox or anything, the rebound adjust is effective and the shock action is smooth as butter. Although they supposedly strengthened the 03 frame even more, I find it hard to believe it was due to any weakness in the design of the 02, this is one beefy frame. The spec'd MPH brakes are excellent stoppers! | | Weaknesses: | Although it's nothing to complain about at this price point, I did end the saddle rails on my way home from the bike shop(no big!) and the cranks are cheesy as everyone says. This doesent mean they probably won't hold up all season anyhow, they're just ugly and taperlock! All other spec on this bike is bombproof from what I can see. This is a TON of bike for the buck, literally as well as figuratively. | | Similar Products Used: | Owned: Kona Manomano, Giant XTC SE-1(hardtail), Iron Horse G-Spot (1999), Redline Dually (hardtail) Kona Stinky, Cannondale Jekyll 500, Specialized FSR xc. | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock except for RF Prodigy stem from my old XTC, and an Airborne saddle pulled from a spare parts bin to replace spec'd saddle. This bike needs nothing for you to go out and start ripping s**t up! Take not, WTB MOTORAPTOR 2.4 tires rock the house! Use these on EVERYTHING you own! I have them on three bikes right now, two fs and one hardtail, and they're the best rolling, smoothest most confidence inspiring shoes my bikes have ever worn. | | Bottom Line: | The 02' warp represents a substantial step up in quality and fit and finish compared to earlier versions of this bike. It has been a hit for Giant from day one, and with good reason. This is a sturdy bike that you can ride in ways that would have you crapping your lycra on your xc bike, and it will come beging for more. The stock spec will hold up for at least one season under almost anyone, or else you really are a freak and should have bought a stinky nine. This is a bike for a couple different riders. Dont expect to xc this thing at high speeds, its NOT an XC bike. That said, it is pedalable, can climb if youre not afraid of a little work at times, and descends like a raped ape, oh, and did I mention that it will drive over or through things that would crack your NRS in half? Either add this to your overgrown bike collection and call it your play bike, or else, as a beginner or budget minded intermediate rider who can't buy two bikes, get one unless you NEED to XC race, then get a Manomano or Dawg instead, they'll hold up, but are light enough to race still. This is a quality rig with a lot of good features at a screamin price- don't be fooled, it's high performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a
from CA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$770.00 | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | nothing so far, only i blew out the tube in like 2 weeks. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | everything that came on it | | Bottom Line: | ITS THE BEST BIKE I'VE EVER RIDEN, MUCH LESS BOUGHT!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lonnie Elliott
a Weekend Warrior
from Gunnison, CO
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | 401 or upper loop/whetstone vista | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Korner | | Strengths: | whole bike... Still love those discs and the stock rear shock. | | Weaknesses: | not a chance! Well, it is heavier than my friends San Andreas, but I don't have to explain a $4800 bike for a 3 month riding season. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountian Cycles San Adreas, Giant nrs air,Raleigh M7000, Titus racer x. more... | | Bike Setup: | stock with M646 pedals, lx shift pods, front and rear derailleur, wtb sstx ti seat. For a while, I went with a Cane Creek AD-12 for the rear shock, but went back to the stock one until I can get some adjustments made. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up review. Yep, I'm the same guy from Canyon,TX. I still really like this bike. It descends better than it climbs. I can keep up with my friend on the 6" Mountian Cycle. It is a great all around bike-and a great deal. For me, it has more travel than the NRS bikes, and more affordable than the AC bikes. I can't see buying any other brand of bike unless money is no object. BTW the rebound adjustment is also the compression adjustment for the rear shock. It is a wonderful ride and I am going to keep it and upgrade it as stuff wears out. Really good piece of equipment. Same rating as before, with more confidence and experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dookie b
a Racer
from riverside, ca usa
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | just let me ride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | woodcrest bikes | | Strengths: | looks great, rear suspension, avid discs, great ride | | Weaknesses: | if I have to pick, handle bars, only 1 color. | | Similar Products Used: | 98 gt lts, diamondback v10 | | Bike Setup: | stock, but with marzocchi mr t, power tools dh bars, kujo 2.67 front and 2.2 rear tires, large 20 frame size. | | Bottom Line: | First off this review is for the 03 giant warp ds1.
This bike is awsome, much improved over last year. The main frame is all one piece, like all the gussets and supports all formed to the frame instead of being welded on. Makes it look way more cleaner, not sure of the strength benifits yet. The swingarm is massive compared to the 02, and the shock mount is like one huge cncd piece rather than the welded on tabs like previous models. When fitted with the dual crown fork and dh tires this bike looks close to a real dh rig.
As for the ride, nothing but plush. The travel claims to 5 inch, but feels like more. Even at my 200 hundred pound weight I was able to run the minimum amount of preload, and never bottomed.
My very first ride on it I took to snow summit and did dh runs all day, and was able to hang with my friends, and their full blown dh rigs.
Bottom line, if this bike is among one of your choices for a new bike, get it, Im sure it will blow away anything in its price range, and is worthy of upgrading. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Queens
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | ADT | | Strengths: | Price,frame,fork,tires, rims | | Weaknesses: | Stock crank and seat. | | Similar Products Used: | My Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Titec HellBent handle bars, Titec Knucklehead stem, LX crank w/Race Face bash ring and z5 bomber fork with heavier springs. Heavier spring in the rear as well. Going to swap out rear derailleur for the new X.O. | | Bottom Line: | LOVE IT! Can't go wrong. Never used to like grip shifts before and I know these aren't top of the line, but they work great for me. Going to swap that out for the new X.O instead. Fork is solid, bike is solid. Much better with the crank and handle bar swap. Rear shock works good , but hard to adjust the travel lengths. Never had a problem with the discs either. No squealing or brake fade (I'm 6'3 265). Love it so much, I'm getting one for my wife. BUY ONE!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler French
a Downhiller
from Wappinger Falls, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Killington | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeway | | Strengths: | hydro Disc brakes, very strong frame, Marzocchi bomber fork, rear shock, rebound adjustments, huge 2.4" tires, basically the whole bike! | | Weaknesses: | brilliant seatpost design, if your 9 feet tall!. Not a problem though the bike shop that I got it from cut it down for me. BIKEWAY RULES!
Also some pedal bob, but no one buys this kind of bike for XCing | | Similar Products Used: | warp DS2(no where near as good as the 1) | | Bike Setup: | stock with a lizard skin | | Bottom Line: | If your kind of new to DHing, this is the bike for you. It takes drops like whoa! It also corners very well and with the discs, you can stop on half a dime(LOL). I recommend this bike to anyone getting into DHing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Banga
a Racer
from Wells
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | urban assult in wells, Play hills York | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | Strong frame, rear shock doesnt have the sudden jerk when i bottom out on drops, The color, My rims | | Weaknesses: | None seen | | Similar Products Used: | Gt-Idrive, Kona Stinky Dee Lux | | Bike Setup: | Mavic d521, rock shox psylo, Pig Dh pro headset, Shimano Crankset, raceface bb, Shimano deore disc | | Bottom Line: | This bike is pimpin, A good starter bike for anyone or if your just gonna do 50 ft drops this might not be the bike for you but it is a great bike all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rocky Insinger
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Adam's Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Formula Sports | | Strengths: | everything on this bike is perfect for me. | | Weaknesses: | everything works fine but it could use better cranks. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp DS 3 | | Bike Setup: | everything is stock except for the seat and pedals. | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike for anyone who has had some biking experience. It's good for the price. The rear and front shock adjustments' are convenient. The only problem are the clip type pedals which can easily be changed to platform pedals for a low price. The frame is nice and solid, but if you go on long rides like I do, you should get a softer seat.It's not as harsh on you but. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 900.00
