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Submitted by
Jeff Ackley
a Weekend Warrior
from Pickerington, Ohio
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source | | Strengths: | Great for older BMX'rs | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bottom Line: | I'm a 40 year old former BMX'r from the late 70's and early 80's. Red Line, Mongoose, and Diamond Back were at the top of the chain. I'm to old to do what the kids are doing now. I've had a few mountain bikes over the last 12 years. I really didn't like them. The biggest issue was the weight. I purchased this bike three years ago and simply use it on camping trips and to ride around with my daughter.
Simply put, this bike is perfect for me. I have no complaints about it. It's very light and meets my needs perfectly. I seriously don't see myself ever having to purchase another bike. I would strongly recommend it to any old time BMX'r who has grown up but still misses that little bit of excitement. Expensive, but worth it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mel
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cedar Rock, Dupont State Forest, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Works | | Strengths: | Best components (for the money) of any bicycle in the market at the time of purchase. Suspension works exactly as advertised. Microlube fittings on the front fork are a great feature. | | Weaknesses: | Stickers on the front fork fell off almost immediately. Weak inner tubes.
Downgraded components for 2004/2005. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This has been a very reliable bike. With minor routine maintenance, it has delivered many miles of trouble free riding, not only here in Florida, but in the more challenging trails of the Pisgah Ntl. Forest. The springs in the front suspension are excellent for someone in my weight range (155) but may be too soft for a heavier rider.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Milligan
a
from Little Rock, AR, USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Allsopp | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainwheel | | Strengths: | Handles very technical (rocks, roots, etc.) trails adequately. Light weight makes for a very good climber. Anti-BOB technology is awsome for both climbs and road. | | Weaknesses: | Tires - unless you're a racer Hutchison pythons should be at the bottom of your list.
Fork - 2 failures in under a year - a damper assembly and owers replaced due to cracked arch.
rims - Stock rims don't hold up well to rocky, rooty trails. After a half dozen broken spokes I had to upgrade.
Factory recommended fork/shock setup specs are off, too stiff.
Rear derailer - needs almost constant attention/adjustment.
Paint - metalic red is prone to fading. | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | Stock except ryno lite rims and IRC tires. | | Bottom Line: | Touted as a great all around XC bike, I've found it's durability suspect. I ride this bike every day for cardio fitness and it hasn't held up to my expectations. I plan to upgrade the rear derailer and maybe the fork before giving up completely. Bottom line, the bike is a great climber and adequate descender for the weekend warior and or novice racer. I wouldn't recommend it to any avid/frequent trail/enduro rider. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maria
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$920.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | awesome components for price, avid mech disc brakes are great, derailleurs are ok, rear shock absorbs bumps really well and doesn't bob while climbing hills | | Weaknesses: | chain sucks, fell apart while riding on 2 separate occasions | | Similar Products Used: | looked at specialized stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | stock parts, but with shimano xtr chain, shimano pd-m646 pedals, titec hell-bent handlebar | | Bottom Line: | overall, i love this bike. i just got into mtn biking and i wanted a good bike but for a reasonable price. it climbs hills pretty well without the bob in the rear shock. frame is pretty lightweight, but giants bike frames run a little larger. the only problem i had was with the chain, but i think it was because i got the bike used and the previous owner pretty much wore out the chain. also, sometimes i have problems with the front derailleur, it doesn't shift properly, but that could just be it's not adjusted correctly. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Used-MTBR.com | | Strengths: | -Climbing
-Good Weight
-Decent mix of components | | Weaknesses: | ?????Easily dented Top/Down tubes, if had to choose something. | | Similar Products Used: | Misc hardtails/FS | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Truvatic crank | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike!!! First F/S bike I have owned and couldn't of picked a better bike. It tracks well in the corners, decends great and climbs awesome. I've but quite a few rides on this bike now through various terrains and couldn't imagine a bike handling any stronger. The NRS line has plenty of options whether you are an beginner or a racer. Only down fall is that they dropped the NRS 3 for 04 and down graded the components of the NRS 2 to compensate. Highly Recommend!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Taipei, Taiwan
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Strengths: | NRS system, lightweight, disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Ghost shifting on the uphill - but a little tweaking and problems, so far, solved. | | Bottom Line: | This is my third Giant bike, but the last time I rode one - or any bike for that matter - was back in '96. What have I missed! Love the suspension system. Makes for a much more comfortable and smoother ride on any terrain than I was ever used to when I was younger. Disc brakes are good, but do tend to squeal at times. Ghost shifting was sorted with a little tinkering around. Overall am very pleased with the bike and am really just getting back into riding again after a long absence. Also you can never complain about the price of Giant bikes here in Taiwan compared to elsewhere - so excellent value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter
a Cross Country Rider
from Helmond NL
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ardennes, Alps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | NRS, FS and real XC | | Weaknesses: | bottombracket (ISIS) the standard RF replaced by some sort of FSA. ISIS sucks by design, so does Octalink.
Fork Manitou Skareb flexed, rebuild before it broke, replaced before it could brake, Marzocchi rulez
RS SID damper leaked air after a few months. Skweeks after rebuild,sucks in general. Guess its al in the name, SID, sounds like... | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Cannondale Jekyll, Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Magura Louise, Marzocchi Bomber, SRAM 9.0 Mavic X317, Schwalbe Big Jim, Easton and RF | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, bad choice in components.
Had some components replaced right away, great deal at my LBS.
Wish I had changed the fork right then, but then again, wouldn't know what I know now.
Very happy with my relative simple and inexpensive Marzocchi MX Comp Air.
The NRS system realy works great. I use a little less air pressure as recommended, more comfort, still no bobbing.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave M
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | San Juan, Noble Canyon, SART | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Some Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Price, parts spec and the no-bob suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Black fork, Generic disc hubs (I was not lucky enough to get the XT Hubs), Titec seat post w/ shim, Hutchinson Python tires. | | Similar Products Used: | I test a Cannondale Super V and a Klein Adept Comp | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Marzocchi MX Comp w/ ETA fork, Hayes HFX Comp Hydraulic Disc brakes, Easton EA50 stem and seat post, Panaracer Fire w/ anti-snake bite, XT front deraileur, Deore disc hubs, all else stock. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this bike is awesome. You just have to get it set up right. First I will detail the problems that I had:
1. Rear disc hub broke - Giant replaced entire wheel w/Shimano Deore disc hub and the same rim - I replaced the front hub with a Deore.
2. Bottom bracket creaking and non drive crank backing out. My LBS determined that the bottom bracket was not tightened properly either at the factory or when assembled. That was causing the crank to back away from the BB. They tightened it up and all has been fine.
3. Manitou Black Comp 80/100 fork - After about 6 rides it started sticking and I could not use the 100mm travel setting. It also made a loud popping noise. Answer overnighted the parts to my LBS and I had the fork back in two days. I have not had a problem since - especially since it is sitting in my closet.
Now for the good stuff! This bike really rocks! The XL is a perfect fit for me. The rear suspension works as advertised - no bob. You do have to set it up to match your riding style. Follow Giant's advice, not Rock Shox. For my weight (About 215 lbs.) I run 225 psi in the positive chamber and 50 in the negative. I have rebound set at the slowest speed. This bike climbs, climbs, climbs. Then when it is time to descend, you have 3.75" of travel in the rear. It does get somewhat bouncy when descending on technical terrain while braking.
The stock fork on this was horrible. Too plush and did not steer well. It might have been better had Giant given spec'd it with a more firm spring. I have since replaced it with a 2003 Marzocchi MX Comp w/ ETA. This fork is the perfect match for this bike. I have not experienced the chain suck that I have read so much about in these reviews. The Raceface cranks are pretty good too. For those looking to upgrade from a hardtail to full suspension look no further. Just be sure to test one out and make sure you like the feel. For the weight weenies it is a heavier bike. 28-29 pounds. But it is perfect for the riding that I do. This review can be used for the 2003 NRS 2 also. The only difference is the paint and the front fork. Once dialed in the bike is up for any challenge. I have done small jumps, small drop offs, ridden all types of terrain (except mud) and it just keeps asking for more.
5 flaming terds for value and 4 for the overall rating. I only give 4 because of the above problems and I think Giant should have worked w/ Answer/Manitou to have the firm spring kit added to the Black fork for the larger bikes.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Chilcote
a Weekend Warrior
from Cary, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | All Star Bikes | | Strengths: | (Already discussed in detail) | | Weaknesses: | Integrated headset. What have bike manufacturers been smoking lately? Have your shop order the adapters and put in a King. | | Similar Products Used: | Looked at Fuel and Sugar. | | Bottom Line: | I posted this for the NRS1 just now, but the NRS 2 (and 3) for 2003 have the same frame and therefore the same problem.
This is a follow-on note for those who have been having the ghost-shifting problem. Please refer to the News posting for 01/03 on www.angryasian.com.
According to this News posting, the problem with ghost shifting is due to the fact that the 2002 NRS frame has a small amount of flex in the right seatstay during hard pedaling uphill. Since the rear derailleur cable is routed through stops at either end of this seatstay, and it takes a very small amount of cable motion to shift Shimano 9-speed SIS, this allows ghost shifting.
The recommended fix is to remove the rear derailleur cable from the stops in the seatstay, and use a single piece of cable housing starting from the end of the top tube all the way to the rear derailleur. Attach the cable housing to the seat stay using zip ties.
Just FYI. Apologies for making this a review, but it seemed like the most general location here. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henry Bosman
a Cross Country Rider
from Fishers, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Difficult Run in Virginia | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Garage Indy | | Strengths: | No-Bob suspension. In my opinion, if you are a hardtail rider looking to go full suspension, NRS is a great design. When you are cranking hard on the pedals uphill, it tends to lockout the rear suspension. This is great for hardtail riders but maybe not satisfactory for "true" full suspension enthusiasts. When I'm on flat ground, I don't feel any bobbing. But, when I'm going downhill, I can let'er rip and stay seated if I want to. XT Hubs(especially at this price). Avid Disk breaks, low weight and maintenance, great feel. WTB Rocket V saddle, liked it so much I bought a second one for my hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Black Comp fork needs stiffer spring and aluminum travel adjust lever and better stickers. Seatpost seat clamp kept loosening and one day broke on me going downhill. Yes, the result wasn't pleasant. Titec first sent me two replacement clamps but they loosened as well. Titec did honor my request to replace the seatpost for one of their two bolt models, yes its heavier but I don't need to re-tighten it all of the time. If I was a weight freak I would have spent $50 on a Thompson. Never tried the stock pedals, immediately put on my old Time Alums. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Mountaincycle, heavy and bob city. Yes, I know its not a trail bike. | | Bike Setup: | Time Alum pedals, Hutchinson Scorpion Tires(best all around tires I ever tried),Titec Two Bolt Seapost. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike I can't imagine replacing it. Someday I might replace the fork but it's been great so far. I probably should replace the chain(some no-name brand) to a SRAM for chain suck problems in "extreme" muddy conditions. After having this bike, I would never go back to caliper brakes or hardtails, in dirt anyway. The bike weighs about 29 LBs but I don't ever ride my 25 LB hardtail on dirt anymore. It would be better to lose 10 LBS from my middle. I compared this bike to a Trek Fuel in the same price range, I think it was the 90. But the NRS 2 has disk brakes and climbs a little better. It was a tough decision, because I like Trek products. Now I also like Giant Products. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FireHawk
a Weekend Warrior
from Paradise, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Many-Bidwell Park, Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycle, Sacramento | | Strengths: | This is an update post. Posted earlier on about May 1, 2002. Bought the bike about April 1, 2002. Great buy for the money spent. Very good overall components. The Giant NRS-2 delivers what the manufacturer promises-NRS. I am not a heavy duty rider but a person who loves the outdoors and riding single track. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano 505 pedals, Shimano HG chain, Manitou fork springs may not be balanced to your weight | | Similar Products Used: | Old Marin Bear Valley SE hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus Shimano 646 pedals ($70), Manitou fork heavy spring kit ($35), WTB Velo 2.1 tires ($45), Slime tubes ($15), Oury grips ($10), Sram 69 chain ($30), pre-stetched shiftter cables (about $20), Lizard Skin chain stay protector ($8), Cateye-2 computer ($23), seat post fast adjust clip (about $10) | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike. Started as a mtb beginner and have advanced to low intermediate. The rear suspension (my first soft tail mtb) rides so great. Just let it go and it floats right through the rocks and bumps. Amazing. Has little or no bob. Avid brakes are great. They work so well and require hardly any maintenance. Am happy with the suspension including the Manitou Black Fork with the upgraded, heavy springs and the rear Rock Shock Sid air shock. Neither shock leaks air which is great. As a tinker of details, I am considering changing the rear shock to a more plush ride, the Cane Creek Cloud 9. Still not fully convinced that I need to do it, though. There are varied reviews on the bob of the Cloud 9 and I just wonder if my rding really makes it worthwhile to spend the money (about $250).
This bike will ghost shift until you change out the Shimano HG chain for a Sram chain. Had all kinds of suggestions on how to rid the ghost shifting. Giant said that the rear sprocket was probably loose. Others said that the BB was improperly shimmed. Nada. The problem was the Shimano chain. When I had the chain changed to the Sram 69, I also had the shifting cables changed to pre-stretched cables. The bike no longer ghost shifts.
The Shimano 505 pedals are not very good. The black plastic cages, which is really a demo room thing, fall off all the time. Then, it leaves a beginner with clipless pedals that are hard to use without any platform. So, I changed the 505's to Shimano 646's and could not be happier. The 646's are great. They allow me to be clipped in when needed and unclipped when I am nervous with the service.
So, the bottom line is that I love this bike and easily recommend that others buy it. It is a great buy for your money with what you get. Don't believe all the hoopla about the thin Aluminum tubing. Yeah, it scratches but those are due to my stupidity dropping the bike on lava rocks in Chico's Bidwell Park. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Drawdy
a Weekend Warrior
from Aiken, SC
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Horn Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Andy Jordan's | | Strengths: | Stout frame and excellent suspension (zero bob).
I don't understand the continuous comments about the thin tubes. The tubes do their job as advertised. They don't tweak, bend or crease. Numerous people claim the tubes are thin but their are no problems to back up the "too thin tubes" claim. I clamp my top tube in my Swagman bike rack several times a week and have never had a problem. Numerous trips up and down the highways on the back of my SUV to ride Pisgah and Tsali and Conyers and Helen and I have yet to tweak the tubes. Dirt roads? Not a problem... | | Weaknesses: | Front shock...Shimano 505 pedals... | | Bottom Line: | This is a followup to my 12/01 review.
This bike still rocks. I have put around 1500 offroad miles on it. The suspension still works as advertised. I replaced the Manitou Black Comp (junk) with an RS Duke XC. That fixed the bottoming out (the firm spring was a waste of money). Put on a Thompson seat post to eliminate creaking. Eggbeaters replaced the 505s. Am on my third set of tires and I finally replaced the cheap, no-name hubs that my early '02 NRS2 came with. This is an outstanding bike! Life is very good! This bike does not disappoint.
I recently bought my wife a Yeti Kokopelli and that has me thinking of replacing the NRS though! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J B
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountaintown N Georgia | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | West Bicycles in Knoxville | | Strengths: | Best component deal, frame does as advertised, color/looks, and stuff | | Weaknesses: | Fork had weak spring; stickers came off fork; pedals suck (Shimano 505)
| | Similar Products Used: | All hardtails | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace stem, bar, seatpost, cranks; IRC tires; Avid 7 levers; stock everywhere else | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks for the money. I robbed my hardtail to upgrade parts (mainly RaceFace stuff & pedals). Had to order firmer spring for the fork and I weigh 180lbs (190 w/ water and tools). Brakes and transmission only compliment the rear suspension. Good finish, headset is doing great. Maybe some extreme x-chaining problems.
Proof the hardtail guys have no more excuses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J B
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountaintown N Georgia | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | West Bicycles in Knoxville | | Strengths: | Best component deal, frame does as advertised, color/looks, and stuff | | Weaknesses: | Fork had weak spring; stickers came off fork; pedals suck (Shimano 505)
| | Similar Products Used: | All hardtails | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace stem, bar, seatpost, cranks; IRC tires; Avid 7 levers; stock everywhere else | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks for the money. I robbed my hardtail to upgrade parts (mainly RaceFace stuff & pedals). Had to order firmer spring for the fork and I weigh 180lbs (190 w/ water and tools). Brakes and transmission only compliment the rear suspension. Good finish, headset is doing great. Maybe some extreme x-chaining problems.
Proof the hardtail guys have no more excuses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston MA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great Frame, Price/Value, Avid Disc Brakes, Solid Wheels with XT Hubs, XT Rear D. | | Weaknesses: | Titec Seatpost, Cheap Race Face Cranks, OEM chain, Manitou Black Comp, Thin tubing, Deore Front D. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardtails / Full Suspensions. Trek Specialized GF etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Easton bar, Thomson Seatpost and Stem, XTR Cranks, Flite Saddle, Manitou Black Stiff Spring upgrade | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is you get alot of bike for the price. This is hands down the best full suspension value at this price point. This bike has some flaws but there is nothing that can't be upgraded to correct them. For those people who review after riding the bike for a day or comment on the thin tubes or the tires suck.... Come on people get with it. The Bad: Titec seatpost is a noisy piece of junk, Black Comp fork is speced with springs for someone around 160 lbs. This fork will bottom out on you all the time if you are over that weight. Go and order a stiffer spring kit. This will improve the fork. Overall the fork is OK but Im not impressed with all of the cheap plastic. Do Not be fooled by the Race Face Prodigy crank set. These are not great RF cranks. These are cheap heavy and poor shifting cranks. These are not made in Canada like most RF stuff but in Taiwan (no problem with that so is the frame... but this is not the real race face stuff). My cranks shifted poorly from day 1 and bent after the first 3 months. Upgrade to Shimano and shifting improved 100%. OEM chain broke on me after the 5th ride while going up a hill. There have been many comments on this site about the chain in connection with ghost shifting problems on the NRS. Swap this out for SRAM. The tubing on the frame is very thin. I don't feel any kind of unwanted flex and the bike is very sturdy but you must be a bit careful with it so that you don't dent it up. The Good: NRS Suspension works great and as advertised. There are set levels for the Sid shock but I have found experimenting with the pressures to help out when I want a "plusher" ride. Avid Brakes are great. Later NRS 2s in the production year are speced with XT hubs. The frame is well made. The bike looks great. This is an excellent bike for trail riding and racing with some upgrades. The bike corners very well and has a hard tail feel until you hit the bumps. The bike feels nimble and fast. I believe all of the NRS frames from the Air to the NRS 3 are the same so it is a great frame (I think there might be some differences with the model of rear shock). I think the NRS 2 is the best value. After a year of riding I am pleased with the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chet Hasworth
a Racer
from Coos Bay, OR
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Bayliner | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1726.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikers Supply | | Strengths: | Good, stiff, hardtail ride just when you need it - pumping up those hills!!!!!!!!! Love the components that are included with this ride! | | Similar Products Used: | Old '95 Trek hardtail bought off a friend for $100; Proflex | | Bike Setup: | Panaracers Fire Pro
Light
Bottlecage | | Bottom Line: | Wow, what a friggin' deal from Giant. Who would have ever expected this 5 years ago from this company? Giant has certainly come a long way and these folks are serious about giving you a lot of bike for a modest price. I cannot find the flaws or skimping on thier part. the welds on the 6000 series aluminum are flawless at the tubes and on the frame gusseting. The ride is more muted then acutally plush; but the payoff is true effeciency with a mix of comfort and mucho performance. Dig this ride even after a year of ownership! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JLH
a Cross Country Rider
from Guelph Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Guelph Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | $1500 @ Paramount | | Strengths: | Delivers as advertised if you spend the time to really get to know the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires get puncture flats easily (damn thorns!) | | Similar Products Used: | 10 year old Bianchi Peregrine lugged cromo frame with Richey and Shimano DX bits. Rigid bike from the good 'ol days (thumb shifters 'n all). Great old ride till I got this baby. | | Bike Setup: | As per recommendations from this site...Atac pedals, XT shifter and front deraileur. Oh yeah, can't forget the Lizard Skin and Camelback too. | | Bottom Line: | First off...for those of you who are looking for that elusive magic machine...you will never find it. These bikes are only tools. Some are better than others sure, but the magic lies in YOUR abilities, NOT the bikes. I thought my old ride was just fine thank you till I broke down, coughed up the bucks and traded up. WOW! I will never regret the purchase. This is one kick arse bike! Are there better bikes out there? Sure. But not at this price. You get what you pay for and in Giant's case you get more than what you pay for with the NRS-2. It cannot be beat!
At first I was disappointed, figured my trusty old steed was indeed a better bike for me. Until I realized that my abilities were not up to the bike's potential. The clipless pedals were the hardest to get used to and I ate a lot of dirt, but once I mastered the pedals, got used to the Hayes disc brakes and rapid fire shifters...I became at "one with the machine" (insert sound of wind chimes here). I have a riding weight of 155 lbs and the Blacks seem to suite me just fine thanks. The stock tires seemed crappy at first but when I eventually figured out the bikes geometry, I was able to do things with them that my old Richey Megabites couldn't. I could lean harder into corners (with much more confidence), climb nastier obsticles and go MUCH faster. I know this bike got a lot of hype and people are expecting the world, often comparing the machine to one they have been used to for years and sometimes ending up disappointed. All I can say is...maybe it's you and not the bike. I think this one is fantastic and would give it ten steaming beaver turds if I could. I haven't had this much fun in the woods since the time I went camping with a nymphomanic....but that story's for a different site.
Keep your stick on the ice and your compass pointing north! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Turtle
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, MN USA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | It's a secret | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Honest Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I actualy bought a 2003 Giant NRS 2 And have ridden over 100 off-road miles on trails ranging from fast fire roads technical single track to ski resort down hills. I'de have to say that this bikes main strength is it's efficiency. I'm faster on it campared to both my Giant ATX 890 and my Gary fisher Joshua. It out climbs both because it doesn't bob like the Joshua and it gets better traction than the ATX. This is the perfect bike for the XC race because it doesn't way much (27.2 lbs. out of the box) and absorbs bumps better than a hard tail or soft tail. With almost 4" of rear wheel travel it does better than most short travel ATB's. The Joshua still absorbs small hits better but the NRS out performs it in every other area. Giant got rid of the welded on gussets and builds the frames with Hydroform tubing now and this had dropped the weight of the 2003 NRS2 down the weight of the 2002 NRS 1 and that's with a coil sprung fork. | | Weaknesses: | THe only weakness with the NRS 2 is twith the spring in Manitou fork it came with the dust seals not pushed all the way down and the fixing bolts holding the lowers on were loose to the point the the fork rattled when I bounce it on the ground. Also Manitou listened to everybody complaining that athe blacks were too soft because the Scareb is too hard Manitou says that a softer sring will be available in 6 weeks for $9.00. Oh well maybe in 2004 they'll get it right. | | Similar Products Used: | see above | | Bike Setup: | stock with Thompson seatpost and stem and raceface flat handleber and XT cassette | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the fider who wants full suspension without giving up any efficiency compared a hard tail, or for the rider who wants more travel than some of the other short travel suspension designs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trevorM
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | McBains | | Strengths: | -Nice Light Frame
-NRS system is perfect
-No Bob, No Pogo etc | | Weaknesses: | -Possibly the tyres, Suited the trails I was on, loose, sandy dry, but on road(downhill) not as grippy as one would perhaps like!
-Otherwise perfect | | Similar Products Used: | NRS 3, | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Shimano M0-82 Race shoes, Perfect! | | Bottom Line: | Had the bike for one day, and truely love it! I know I cant go into too much depth obviously. But to give you an idea this is the first Dually for me and comming from a Giant Boulder Se it really rocks, and is smooth up hill, the lightness of the frame makes hills so easy! I did some single track (Mild DH) today with the shocks at 100mm setting and I just flew, particularly around corners!
-For somebody who wasnt always to risky with his riding all of a sudden I am happy to do (really) steep downhill, (mild) drops and jumps.
-Setting up the rear shock couldnt be easier! I am amazed, simply follow like 5 steps and your setup! It as easy as leaving the negative chamber at 50psi and the positive at your weight (ie 160pds) and 10 additional psi (ie 170psi) Too easy!!!
-Front suspension isnt near as bad as what some people have said, I think some ppl just need to lighten up a little (LOL-Kidding) can see how it is an issue for some heavier persons (not me)
All up very very happy with it! Cannot wait to do some serious riding with it! YAY!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Forsyth
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrence, Kansas
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dyke in Gunnison | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Capps Topeka | | Strengths: | NRS is awesome - Full suspension, no bob.
Avid mechanical disc
"Good" componentry
Adequate Manitou Black | | Weaknesses: | Price is a killer
Factory installed tires
Crappy manuals | | Similar Products Used: | Giant warp DS1, Specialized SJ FSR, Cannondale scalple, KHS. | | Bike Setup: | Stock baby, but not for long. Tires tomorrow and who knows after that. Well, I did slap a lizard skin under the chain, and a cateye cordless on the bar. | | Bottom Line: | This bike performs as it was designed. When you set up your suspension with the correct pressure - rebounding - damping, this bike can't be touched. It WILL actually climb tall buildings in a single bound, it is FASTER than a speeding bullet down hardpack, and it is more powerful than a locomotive, because it allows you to maximize your energy and potential.
With my old hardtail KHS I would push that bike down the trail, and I'd have time to casually look around. NRS2, no way. This thing is an F16 on wheels. You and the bike actually do become "one". You develop tunnel vision and are able to move into another dimension. It's really amazing how equipment has improved in 10 years since I bought my last MTB. Breaking is not a problem. Avid mechanical disc breaks will stop you last Wednesday. They are that good. Modulation is great, performance is overkill in Kansas. Waiting for Colorado to really see what these can do.
The bike tracks smooth and acurate. It's really responsive and allows you to focus your energy on speed. Greatly improves your riding ability, confidence and overall enjoyment.
This bike has shaved 10 minutes off a 60 minute trail run. And it has shaved off 15 years from my 50 year old body. I assumed that those young whippersnappers were blowing by me because I was "older" - not so boys, equipment definitely makes a difference. I've had great fun passing young guns left and right. No more numb wrists, fingers or feet. Full suspension and ibuprophen rule!
Shifting is smooth. I've read a lot of complaints and have to assume that people don't understand the mechanics of force. It's called finese boys. You do it with women and you do it with your bike. You have to know how and when to shift, and if done properly, you will have a happy grin at the top of the hill. This bike's components are adequate. Not great, but for a killer full suspension, avid disc brakes, what do you expect?
The tires are crap in sand, but that too can be overcome with the right technique.
Don't waste your time buying the NRS3 and trying to upgrade. Yea, it's the same frame as 2 and 1, but you'll be soooo much better off with this baby. For the cost of upgrading, you'll save money in the longrun. Unless you're racing this thing, you'll be more than happy with the way it's set up.
I gotta give her 5 and 5.....Enjoy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Auger
a Cross Country Rider
from Canmore, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Bench | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | REBOUND CYCLE | | Strengths: | Excellent value for components package
Hardtail uphill, FS downhill !
Blacks & SID are awesome
Hayes Mechanical Disc Brakes stop great, without the hassle & cost of hydraulics
Avid brake levers have great adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Frame is thin... but I haven't broken it... yet
Unreliably thin tubes. Use as spares. | | Bike Setup: | Switched Pytons for Fire XC Pro's
Replaced big ring with bashguard
Changed pedals to Shimano DX's
Put on a quick release seatpost clamp
I increased the SID's negative air pressure to make the suspension more active... it only minorly affects climbing stiffness | | Bottom Line: | This bike runs like a dream. Efficient climbing, handles great, plush enough to go fast on rough descents. I'm 160lbs, and none of the components give me any problems. I think people complaining about strength or performance issues may need a sturdier bike to handle either their weight or their bike-hucking. I heard a few people had problems with ghost shifting... I think the BB is just gapped wrong. This is pretty much everything I ever wanted in an XC bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bucky Formanin
a Cross Country Rider
from Napa Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Grape Ride | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Value/Price/NRS/Great components hung on this frame! | | Weaknesses: | ??? Have not found any weaknesses at this time. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback/Cannondale (overpriced) | | Bike Setup: | Panaracers/Wellgo Flats/Headlight added | | Bottom Line: | First off, Wade Pollard (couple of reviews below) is beyond retarded and really should consider getting away from the computer and checking out this big blue planet. He's a good example of what happens when teens sit in their room and fail to let go of their organ for more than five minutes straight. With that said, I really enjoy this NRS 2. The value factor is simply undeniable. The suspension does not bob; however I run a tad more pressure in the negative and run about 1/4 inch sag for plush ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seth
a Racer
from York, PA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Works in Wrightsville,PA | | Strengths: | It's in the name. "N.R.S." No Resonance System. It means all that precious energy you expend, it moves you forward, not up and down. No bobbing, get it? Seriously, the only bob you get on this bike is from the fromt shock. Also, great specs for a $1500 bike. | | Weaknesses: | The only complaint I can muster is that the tubes are relatively easy to dent. I have two. One I received in the first week on the seat stay and one on the top tube from my lever bumping into it. I won't reduce my rating, but it would be nice if they could be engineered a bit more resitant since they are mountian bike frames. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Selle Italia Flite Gel Ti. | | Bottom Line: | The design of this frame is great. If the SID rear shock is set up as Giant's manual recommends, it won't bob. The bang-for-the-buck factor of this bike is hard to beat in my mind. I liked the NRS design so much that I am upgrading to a leftover NRS1.
Buy it if you can find it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Most Vermont/Mansfield area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Denis Parent Sport St-Sauveur $2000CAN tax incl. | | Strengths: | No bob! Full torque available for wheelieing over stuff. Allows me to appreciate a cushy front shock. I used to need it firm on my hardtail. Shock has no compression damping adjust. But given setting is fine. I expect that front oil damping is better than air. Four friends on SID's had major issues within the same time i've had the Manitou. The Manitou's grease fittings are cool.
Avid levers have lots of adjustments. The Hayes mech discs are dead easy to align, on the trail if needed. | | Weaknesses: | The chain jams unfortunately very tight between the bb and the granny, if it should ever fall off.
Tubes sound skinny, but it could be thinner paint than other brands. I'll probably put pads on it.
The hanger is way softer than on my DeVinci. I seems to bend under just the bike's weight. I also found it easy to straighten.
The rear SID's piston shaft is really exposed to dirt. I trimmed a big Lizard Skin to drape over it.
The front brake cable position will wear into the stations teflon coating. Another loose Lizard is needed.
The rear bushings are exposed and delivered bone dry. I greased them and wrapped string around them, like a kids hub.
The front shock has no compression adjust, but it feels great. It has rebound, travel, and sag adjust. I made a tube to slip on the stantion when the wheel is off to protect the plastic adjustor knobs which are vulnerable.
I changed the rear tire for a more aggressive one. I'll save the stock Python for use on the front. The stock tires and tubes are really very light.
Only failure so far are a couple of rear spokes that came completely loose. And the rear cable end went into the disc and got neatly trimmed. And the hanger bent a couple of times. | | Similar Products Used: | Several coil-over designs, but only briefly, yet enough to suspect a negative impact on climbing. | | Bike Setup: | Stock as it comes, except a steel granny ring, and a bash ring instead of my big ring. And a firmer seat. And a quick release seat post clamp. And a more aggressive rear tire. And my old pedals. | | Bottom Line: | My altimeter watch records I climb about 100k feet per summer. I regularly whoop down 2 foot steps. I've broken a lot of parts before. If you're like me, you'll love this bike. I don't expect unusual durability.
But performance wise, this bike increased my climbing speed and technical capability by 25%, my downhill speed and capability by 100% and my enjoyment by 200%.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Pollard
a Cross Country Rider
from Whitby Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | 3 rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Sports cycle | | Strengths: | It seems the reviews from the magazines before it was releasd to the real world were the only strengths for this heap !!! | | Weaknesses: | Where do I start...The fork..Stickers all peeled off..Blew the seal once and it was warrantied,then again,and it was warrantied again,blew for the third time and I told the store that I bought it that that fork was not going to see my bike again...Store replaced it with a R/S duke for free..Next would be this chain skip issue under load...I have yet to be able to come out of the saddle with confidence with this piece of trash !!! No matter what gear or what speed you travel...It will skip and hop when you climb or stand..Blew both tubes within the first week.I have brught the bike in 4 times for creaking BB..It seems a quick wipe and lube of the threds fixes this problem..I can live with the crap tires cause the drive train won't let you ride hard enuff to have the tires slip on you... | | Similar Products Used: | TBL eldorado,Shwinn moab2, | | Bike Setup: | All stock other than hayes hydraulics and time carbon pedals..Mine was shipped with the XT hubs and cog set | | Bottom Line: | I don't think I need to say any more about this embarassment that Giant calls a bicycle.If giant had a heart whatsoever...They would publicly on the 6:00 news apologize for sucking in so many of us with their crotch-bustin chain skippin thin tube usin'bicycles.Untill then...I guess we are all stuck with downhill bikes with 4 inches of travel..Yipp-eeeeeeee...What a scam...
If I had to suggest this bicyle to anybody,it would have to be someone on their way to a 200 ft hucking convention... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Captain Jacks and surrounding trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | |
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$ 1500.00
